20 Vintage Home Gadgets That Would Be Illegal to Sell Today
These 20 vintage home gadgets were once everyday items but are now banned or illegal to sell due to safety, health, or environmental risks.
- Sophia Zapanta
- 5 min read
Household gadgets from past decades often lacked the safety standards we have today. Some were dangerous, others used toxic materials, and a few caused long-term health issues. Today, these products can’t be legally sold due to modern laws and regulations.
1. Asbestos Irons and Ironing Board Pads
FastilyClone on Wikimedia Commons
Older ironing board covers and appliance insulation often used asbestos to resist heat. It worked well but released fibers that could cause lung disease. Asbestos is now banned in most consumer products, and selling anything containing it is illegal in many countries.
2. Lead-Based Paint Sprayers
Henry G. Gilbert on Wikimedia Commons
Sprayers used in the mid-20th century often applied paint that contained lead. These were marketed for use on walls, furniture, and even toys. Lead exposure causes serious health problems, especially in children. Today, selling lead-based paints or related tools is banned in most places.
3. Radium Clocks and Dials
Arma95 on Wikimedia Commons
Glow-in-the-dark clocks once used radium paint to make the hands and numbers visible at night. Radium is radioactive and can be harmful even in small doses over time. Manufacturing these is banned, and selling vintage ones with intact paint is highly regulated.
4. Hair Dryers with Asbestos Insulation
Dinkun Chen on Wikimedia Commons
Many hair dryers from the 1950s to the 1970s used asbestos to insulate internal components. When damaged or aged, these dryers could release harmful fibers. Modern safety standards prohibit the use of asbestos in consumer electronics, and selling old models is illegal.
5. Lawn Darts (Original Metal-Tip Version)
Mushy on Wikimedia Commons
These sharp, heavy darts caused multiple injuries and even deaths. The original design was banned by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission in 1988. Safer versions exist now, but the old ones cannot be legally sold. Reselling them at garage sales or online is prohibited.
6. PCBs in Kitchen Appliances
US Army corps of Engineers on Wikimedia Commons
Some older electrical appliances, like blenders or mixers, used PCB-containing capacitors. PCBs are toxic and environmentally persistent chemicals. They were banned in the U.S. in the late 1970s. Selling products with them is illegal and a hazard to handle.
7. Mercury Switch Thermostats
AZAdam on Wikimedia Commons
Older thermostats often contained mercury switches. Mercury can be absorbed through the skin or inhaled when spilled. Due to its toxicity, these are now illegal to sell in many states and countries. Modern thermostats use safer alternatives.
8. Mothballs Containing Naphthalene
Wiki Farazi on Wikimedia Commons
Vintage mothballs often used naphthalene, a toxic chemical that can cause respiratory and blood problems. Today, these versions are banned or heavily regulated. Safer formulations have replaced them. Selling old naphthalene-based types is illegal in many jurisdictions.
9. Antique Refrigerators with Non-Magnetic Latches
Cullen328 on Wikimedia Commons
Older fridges had latches instead of magnetic seals, which could trap children inside if the door shut. Several deaths led to safety standards requiring magnetic seals, and selling or reinstalling latched fridges is prohibited.
10. Hand Crank Ice Crushers with Lead Paint
William Richardson on Wikimedia Commons
Many manual ice crushers used painted metal parts, some of which contained lead. Flaking paint could contaminate the ice. Modern health codes ban lead-painted food-contact surfaces, and selling them for food use is illegal.
11. Electric Blankets Without Overheat Protection
Limetolime on Wikimedia Commons
Early electric blankets lacked sensors or shutoff features, and overheating caused fires and burns. These designs no longer meet electrical safety codes, and it’s illegal to sell old models that don’t pass modern standards.
12. Old Pressure Cookers Without Safety Valves
গীতাশ্ৰী গগৈ আপ্তে on Wikimedia Commons
Vintage pressure cookers often lacked secondary safety features. If the main valve clogged, they could explode. Modern cookers have backup mechanisms. Selling old versions without them is considered unsafe and often illegal.
13. Mercurochrome (Merbromin) First Aid Products
X1987x on Wikimedia Commons
Once common in medicine cabinets, this antiseptic contains mercury. The FDA banned it in 1998 due to toxicity concerns. It’s no longer allowed in over-the-counter products, and selling it is illegal in the U.S.
14. Aluminum Wiring Kits for Home Use (1960s–70s)
Joe Kiser on Wikimedia Commons
Used as a cheaper alternative to copper, aluminum wiring was later found to cause house fires. Special connectors are needed to handle it safely. Selling old kits without approved fittings is banned. Improper use is now against the code.
15. Carbon Tetrachloride Fire Extinguishers
Joe Mabel on Wikimedia Commons
Early home fire extinguishers used carbon tetrachloride, which is highly toxic and turns into a poisonous gas when exposed to heat. These were banned in the 1960s, and selling or using them is illegal.
16. Vintage Hair Curlers with No Heat Regulation
daryl_mitchell on Wikimedia Commons
Some curlers could reach temperatures high enough to cause scalp burns. There were no automatic shutoffs or temp limits. Safety regulations now prohibit such designs. Selling unregulated vintage units is banned.
17. Home Sunlamps with UVB Exposure
R. Henrik Nilsson on Wikimedia Commons
Sold as beauty or health devices, these emitted unregulated UV radiation, increasing the risk of burns and long-term skin damage. The FDA now restricts devices with unsafe UV exposure, and selling old versions is illegal.
18. Antique Baby Walkers with Wheel Design Flaws
Jack de Nijs on Wikimedia Commons
Old baby walkers had unstable wheel designs that caused thousands of injuries. They often tipped over or allowed babies to fall down stairs. Safety standards were updated in the 1990s, and selling older, non-compliant models is prohibited.
19. Clothes Irons Without Automatic Shutoff
Malopez 21 on Wikimedia Commons
Some vintage irons stayed hot indefinitely when plugged in. Fires and burns were common when users forgot to unplug them. Modern safety standards require shutoff functions, and selling pre-standard models is illegal in some areas.
20. Space Heaters Without Tip-Over Protection
Hardyplants on Wikimedia Commons
Older heaters didn’t shut off when knocked over, causing thousands of house fires. Modern units include automatic shut-off and temperature sensors. Selling old units without these features is considered unsafe and is often illegal.