Dec 6, 2011

Antiquated, But Not Forgotten

by Susan Borgen (tparty)

I love to collect obsolete things. I particularly prefer old stuff that is clever yet has fallen by the wayside, such as my collection of wooden soap powder holders shaped like teapots. Decorative and useful, these relics could once be found on many 1940s kitchen counters. 


Back when dishes were washed by hand using soap flakes or powder, these dispensers kept the soap close at hand in a pretty container. Perhaps they were the handiwork of kids in junior high wood shop class or dads tinkering in their garage workshop. I suppose it was then left to mom to add paint and decals to dress them up.


These vintage containers are fairly rare. Every now and then, I find one at an estate sale, the kind where you have the run of the house and are able to peek into kitchen cabinets and root around basements. Other times, I've gotten lucky and discovered one at a thrift store or flea market.


If you come across one of these soap holders, it will add vintage charm to any laundry room and also be quite useful. Keep one near your washing machine if you happen to use powered laundry detergent. I have one next to my laundry sink where I keep it filled with my secret weapon, BIZ, which I use to soak out stubborn stains from vintage linens.


My wooden soap powder holders embody everything I love about collecting vintage items; they are handmade, useful, kitschy — and most important, fun.

Here are more useful vintage offerings from fellow Etsy Vintage Team members...

Vintage Laundry Soap Box by Jinxxy

Kitschy Vintage Apron by tippleandsnack

Antique Drying Rack by PoetryofObjects

1960s Book of Housekeeping Tips from Heloise by CalloohCallay

13 comments:

Bevy said...

Interesting information. I have never seen one of these before...and I grew up in the 50's. Always fun to learn new things. thanks!
Bev ~ Whimzies

Bumperstickersnmore said...

Very interesting, I had never seen these either.
Love that apron. LOL

Vicki said...

I'm on a new quest to watch for these little wooden boxes - never had heard of these either but love them. Thanks for a fun and informative post
Vicki
Kowgirl Kitsch

SweetRice Vintage said...

The wooden boxes are so cute! great post!

Callooh Callay said...

Wow, those are just adorable--I'll have to keep my eyes peeled next time I'm at a flea market.

Thanks too for including my Heloise book!

poetryofobjects said...

I also have never seen these! They are so great. I love the idea of putting my laundry detergent in them. You have a really great collection. Thank you so much for including my drying rack in this post! A fun treat to read...

cherrylippedroses said...

I am amazed that I have looked at 50 (feels like!) million vintage-antique objects and I can not recall EVER having run across this!Maybe I was just totally baffled. THANKS! so much for a great blog...really enjoyed it...If I find one want me to buy it for you? I do that for people...only charge you s/h and cost...CLR

Susan from The T-Cozy said...

Sure thing!

Suzanne@threepeats said...

I've never seen these containers before either! Very pretty!

Jill said...

Really a unique item!!

Nora-transient*treasures said...

What a great post---those "teapots" are SO cute!!

Anne@Kitschy Vintage said...

A wonderful post -- I'm drooling over the pictures! I search for soap holders at every sale I go to (and at antique shops, too) but have never found one.

wonderdiva said...

Absolutely charming!