Everyone Used This To Store Toilet Paper In The ’70S — Now You Can Find It Secondhand

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A Hunker report highlights freestanding blow-mold plastic containers used to store spare toilet paper, a style associated with midcentury homes and the 1970s. The holders can still be found secondhand, though reported prices vary by seller and source, and their bottom openings may let in bathroom spills.

Vintage blow-mold toilet paper holders, a freestanding storage style associated with homes from the mid-20th century through the 1970s, are still turning up in thrift stores, antique shops and online resale listings, according to a Hunker report. The plastic containers store spare rolls under a lid, offering a decorative alternative to open baskets and exposed holders.

A typical holder is a tall, tubular plastic container with a detachable lid. Hunker says many hold about four to five toilet paper rolls stacked inside. Some have molded designs such as flowers, birds or other patterns, while neutral colors can make them less conspicuous in a bathroom. The container can sit on the floor, a shelf or a countertop, depending on its size and the available space.

The report describes these items as products of blow molding, a manufacturing process in which heated plastic is formed inside a hollow mold and inflated with pressurized air. It says the finished material is durable and resistant to moisture damage. That does not make every holder sealed: Hunker cautions that some models have a hole at the bottom for airflow, leaving stored rolls vulnerable to spills from below.

Availability and asking prices differ across resale channels. Hunker says a holder may cost less than $40 in some cases, while listings on eBay, Poshmark and Etsy were reported at roughly $25 to $85. Those figures are a snapshot from the article, not a set price range for every market or a guarantee of current availability. The report identifies Breamco as one brand shoppers may encounter and suggests searching broad phrases such as “vintage toilet paper holder” and “midcentury toilet paper storage.”

A Small Vintage Bathroom Upgrade

For shoppers looking to add a period detail without buying a large piece of furniture, a compact bathroom accessory can be a lower-cost way to bring vintage design into a home. The container also serves a practical purpose: keeping spare rolls covered but within reach, rather than tucked away in a cabinet or left exposed in an open basket.

Its usefulness depends on the specific item and the bathroom. A lid can help shield paper from routine humidity and contact, but the report does not claim that these containers are airtight or waterproof. Buyers should check for cracks, missing lids, odors and bottom openings before purchasing, particularly when shopping secondhand. A hole underneath can undermine protection from a wet floor or a plumbing spill.

The reported prices also show why comparison matters. A low asking price may make a holder an accessible decor purchase, while some online listings cost more. Condition, design and seller pricing can affect the amount, and a listing price does not establish what similar pieces have actually sold for.

From Midcentury Molded Plastic

Hunker places blow-mold decor within the midcentury modern period, particularly the decades from the 1950s through the 1970s. The manufacturing method was used for a range of household and decorative objects; the report points to molded Christmas decorations as a familiar example. The toilet paper holder applies that same lightweight plastic form to a utilitarian bathroom item.

Unlike larger vintage furnishings, which can carry high prices, the report presents these holders as a relatively modest purchase. They also reflect an older approach to household storage: instead of hiding supplies in a vanity, a decorative container made spare rolls part of the room’s design while keeping them accessible. Hunker’s article is a guide to spotting and buying the item, rather than a survey of how commonly it appeared in every home during the 1970s.

The distinctive clues are the upright cylinder shape and a lid that lifts off to reveal stacked rolls. A shopper might overlook one among other plastic decor at a thrift store, so checking the shape and interior is more useful than relying only on a seller’s description or the item’s apparent age.

“A blow mold toilet paper holder is a freestanding plastic tube container with a lid that holds about four to five toilet paper rolls stacked inside.”

— Hunker

Prices and Condition Vary

The report does not provide a national inventory, sales data or a count of how many holders are currently available. Its price figures describe what Hunker found or reported, not a standardized valuation. Current listings may differ by location, condition, seller and design, and asking prices may not match final sale prices.

It is also unclear how common the holders were in 1970s homes; the headline’s broad phrasing is not supported by adoption figures in the article. The source describes them as a vintage storage idea associated with the period, but does not document that everyone—or most households—used one. Buyers should also confirm an item’s dimensions, lid fit and material condition, since the report does not specify measurements or provide product-by-product assessments.

How Shoppers Can Find One

People interested in buying one can check local thrift and antique stores, where the item may be mixed in with other home decor, or search resale platforms such as eBay, Poshmark and Etsy. Hunker recommends using several search terms, including “vintage toilet paper holder” and “midcentury toilet paper storage,” rather than relying on a single brand name.

Before paying, shoppers can ask sellers for photographs of the interior, base and lid, and verify the container’s dimensions and any damage. The next step for anyone weighing a purchase is to compare active listings and local options: availability and prices can change, and the source offers no indication of a future release or broader retail launch.

Key Questions

What is a blow-mold toilet paper holder?

It is a freestanding plastic container, usually shaped like a tall tube, with a removable lid and space to stack spare rolls inside.

How many rolls can one hold?

Hunker says a typical holder stores about four to five rolls, though capacity may vary by model.

Where can I find one secondhand?

Try thrift stores, antique shops and online resale marketplaces such as eBay, Poshmark and Etsy. Search using a few descriptions, including “vintage toilet paper holder.”

How much do vintage holders cost?

Hunker reports some examples available for less than $40 and online listings around $25 to $85. These are reported asking prices, not a guarantee of current availability or final sale value.

Will the container keep toilet paper dry?

A lid can cover rolls, but Hunker says some holders have a bottom opening for airflow. Check the base and keep the container away from likely spills; it should not be treated as waterproof.

Source: rss