This is something I am unsure of, but have a positive feeling it could be worse than I am hoping......

Had a few rods stored out in a garage for a couple of day. Went to get the rods and discovered that there was the blue/green mold all over the EVA Foam and Cork grips of the rods. This is the type of mold that you normally find on food or bread. My question is this.... Is this mold just surface mold and a wipe and clean project OR since the foam and cork are porous has the mold gone deeper to which the grips will need to be replaced?

Thanks in advance!

I would wipe them down with a solution of 10% bleach and 90% water. Should cure the problem.

Sunlight alone might cure it. If not, try Randolph's solution. I don't think you'll need to replace the grips.

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Cork is NOT porous! It is a closed cell structure, so cleaning and disinfecting the surface should do it.

Thanks! Didn't think about the sun bathing of the rods and was a bit hesitant to put bleach of any strength to the grips. I will go ahead and do both!

Didn't realize that cork was completely non porous, but was referring mainly to the tiny pits that have formed. Thanks for the info on cork being non-porous. Good to know!

The lack of porosity is the reason cork was used on fishing nets to keep them afloat for years before Styrofoam.

Back in the day I worked with leather...
Lemon juice was commonly used to remove mildew.
Safe, organic, mild, pure, natural, not bio-engineered by Monsanto, etc. etc. etc.

I didn't even think of lemon juice. Thanks! I went with the 10/90 bleach solution, wiping them down fairly aggressively. Then they have been bathing in the Georgia sun for an hour or so.