9 of the longest surviving household goods, from the days when things were built to last

• They are some of the longest-surviving household goods, from the days when things were built to last
• Some are well over 100 years old and still going strong, having been passed down through the generations
• From sewing machines to drills and vacuum cleaners, these are among the most durable products ever made

They say things aren’t made like they used to be, and based on this evidence, that’s certainly true.

People have been sharing stories of their longest-surviving household goods, some of which are still going strong after more than a century.

Today’s throw-away culture means many products simply aren’t made to last, with the price and ease of use being more important to the manufacturers and consumers alike than durability.

Worse still, some products are deliberately designed with a limited lifespan - a practice known as built-in obsolescence - so customers will have to buy replacements sooner.

It was not always this way, and, with growing awareness about consumerism’s environmental impact, perhaps it won’t be the case for much longer.

But many people have told how the products their parents, grandparents and even great-grandparents bought many years ago are still going strong, while they have been through several vacuum cleaners, fridges or other goods in their adult lives.

Wedding presents from the 50s, 60s, 70s and 80s have often outlasted the marriage and, in many cases, outlived the happy couple.

Below are some of the goods, from the 1800s up to the 1990s, that have lasted longest, based on the information people have shared on online forums.

Several brands come up again and again, with people describing how products from sewing machines to power tools have been passed down through the generations and are still in regular use.

Sewing machines

Singer sewing machines are so reliable that many have outlived their original owners.

One person told how their great-great-grandmother’s Singer from the 1880s is still going strong and gets used for shortening curtains and altering clothes.

Other people described how they had Singer sewing machines from 1911 and 1919, which were still working.

Tableware and cookware

Many people mentioned how Pyrex is built to last, including one person whose gran’s old Pyrex jug is still in use after about 40 years.

The other items to receive multiple mentions were Le Creuset pans, some of which are still in service after more than half a century, and Prestige pots, dating from the 70s and 80s, of which one person said ‘they will last forever’.

A Holcroft cast iron pan made in 1969 or earlier, and Arcopal tempered glass dishes believed to be at least 50 years old, also received honourable mentions.

Microwaves

One person told how their mother has a Toshiba microwave from the mid-70s that is still functioning well, while they have already had two microwaves die on them since moving out.

Another person explained how they are still using their late parents’ Hitachi combi microwave, which is 30 years old, while a third said they had their Matsui microwave, which was ‘built like an absolute tank’ for around 25 years before it eventually broke.

Food processors and other kitchen goods

Kenwood was easily the household brand with the most mentions for longevity.

One person told how their nan’s Kenwood hand mixer from 1962 was still working and still in its original box to boot. Another said their nan’s Kenwood mixer from the 60s still ‘works like new, and better than some new ones I’ve tried’.

A 40-year-old Breville toasted sandwich maker, meanwhile, was ‘still turning out perfect toasties’, and a 30-year-old Dualit toaster showed no signs of popping its clogs, with its owner adding ‘they go forever’.

One person described how their Candy fridge from the 50s was still serving them well, while another said their Zanussi fridge freezer from 1992 was working as well as ever.

Among the other bargains was a Bush kettle and toaster set bought back in 1999 from Argos for less than £30 and still going strong.

Gardening/DIY tools

Lots of people are still using DIY and gardening tools that are so old they are practically antiques.

One happy owner told how they have a Husqvarna 61 chainsaw that still runs ‘fantastically’ after 40 years, while another is still using their grandad’s old Black & Decker Workmate from the 70s.

A third person said their Bosch electric hammer drill, made in Switzerland, had ‘never failed since 1974’.

But the prize here went to a brass Dunlop foot pump from the 1930s, which is still used to inflate car and bike tyres.

Bathroom equipment

Gillette really is the ‘best a man can get’, according to one happy owner, still using his 1960s double edge razor, which he said was ‘built like a tank’.

Another person told how their original 1999 Philips E-series sonic toothbrush ‘works like a dream’ all these years later, and there was lots of praise for GHD hair straighteners, including one set from 2004 that was still going strong.

Stationery

Parker fountain pens have been serving their owners well for decades, with two people telling how they are still using theirs from the 80s daily. But the oldest pen anyone mentioned that is still in use was a Mabie Todd Swan 1500 fountain pen from around the 1910s.

Several people are still using their old secondary school calculators, including a Casio fx-100c model bought 35 years ago and still running with its original single AA battery. Its owner said: “I'm beginning to wonder what will die first, me or my calculator.”

As for printers, the prize went to an HP Laserjet 4I, which is 28 years old and ‘with a bit of gentle coaxing and lots of finger crossing, will work for the 4-6 pages I need a week’.

Music

A Bakelite radio from the 1940s or 50s, or perhaps even earlier, still sounds good after all these years, having never required mending, explained one happy owner, who received it from their great-grandmother.

A Yamaha CS1x synthesiser from the late 90s, and a Technics SL-QL1 turntable from the 80s were among the other musical items still in fine tune, with the owner of the latter saying: “1980s Japanese stuff is peak quality.”

Vacuum cleaners

Several people had good things to say about Miele, but the greatest praise was for Henry vacuum cleaners.

One person said: “I’ve had my Henry for about 20 years, which I inherited from my gran, who had it at least 15 years. It’s still going strong.”

What’s the longest-lasting item you’ve ever bought or had handed down to you? Let us know, including the make, model and the year it was made, by emailing [email protected].

If you want to buy goods that will serve you for many years, this website claims to stock only products it is confident are built to last.