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Toothbrush holders — chrome metal, wall mount — for midcentury homes and where to to find them

Pam Kueber - Updated: August 17, 2020

Retro Renovation stopped publishing in 2021; these stories remain for historical information, as potential continued resources, and for archival purposes.

Where to find retro metal toothbrush holders? I have two sources for Hall-Mack designs that were everywhere

Kimberly wrote this week to ask:

We recently bought a 1950 house and having a blast renovating it. Saving the kitchen for last because that is a huge undertaking. In the meantime we are looking for a source for metal wall mounted tooth brush holders for a bathroom. Any ideas?

Yes, here’s where to find these:

But then — you need toothbrushes that fit!

As reader Mary Elizabeth (and other readers) have pointed out:

Just a heads up for those who buy a NOS 1950s-1980s toothbrush holder–most modern toothbrushes don’t fit them. The more ergonomic toothbrushes have a fat handle that won’t go into the smaller holes. I ran into this in my 1980s camp trailer and my 1959 ranch house. You can, however, find old fashioned thin-handled toothbrushes that will fit. It just takes a bit of searching. I found some in the dollar store and also these on Amazon: https://amzn.to/2E9oT4l

And: 

 

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14 comments

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  1. Carmen G. says

    We have Hallmack toothbrush holders in our 1954 house but two of them are missing the plastic insert (bottom tray). Any ideas where to buy replacements?

  3. Amy Thompson says

    In a related quest, I have several vintage porcelain fixtures for toothbrushes and soap dishes etc that did not come with the metal clips needed to attach them to the wall. Does anyone have a source to buy replacements?

  4. Laura Ainsworth says

    Thanks so much for this. I have an original ceramic toothbrush holder and have wanted to use it to hold TOOTHBRUSHES. It’s not just that today’s toothbrushes are too big to fit — they’e so ugly! Who decided they were going to look so garish, like children’s athletic shoes?

    • Mary Elizabeth says

      I agree! Look for the old fashioned ones in multiple colors to perk up your bathroom!

    • Jay says

      Sometimes the original straight handled “Reach” toothbrush is available in discount sores and often grocery stores have their own private label slim handled brushes. I just check to see where they are made – USA or China.

  5. Joe Felice says

    When you have holders, you must keep them clean. I remember how yucky those were back in the day. I think that’s why they don’t put them in houses today. Well, that and the fact that modern toothbrushes don’t fit. I use mine to hold tweezers and scissors.

  6. Dcgrl says

    We have our original toothbrush holder (1957). The one thing I would say is that they make toothbrushes bigger now and we have a hard time finding ones that will fit through the holes. 🙁

  7. Mary Elizabeth says

    Just a heads up for those who buy a NOS 1950s-1980s toothbrush holder–most modern toothbrushes don’t fit them. The more ergonomic toothbrushes have a fat handle that won’t go into the smaller holes. I ran into this in my 1980s camp trailer and my 1959 ranch house. You can, however, find old fashioned thin-handled toothbrushes that will fit. It just takes a bit of searching. I found some in the dollar store and also these on Amazon: https://amzn.to/2E9oT4l

  8. Elizabeth from Texas says

    My 1965 house has original white ceramic toothbrush holders (which I don’t use for toothbrushes). I have often wondered if the Retro Reno community had ideas for decorating them? Like somehow a flower sticking out of each hole? But I don’t know how to secure it. Maybe I should just buy the gaily colored toothbrushes and let them be a color coordinating decoration!

    • Allison says

      I think this is the best idea; as a bonus, you’ll have 4 brand-new toothbrushes available in case of unexpected overnight guests.