Toto says not to clean toilet seats with toilet paper

Equipped with music players, automatic flushers and heated seats, Japanese toilets are clearly not afraid to make a splash with their innovative designs.

But these cutting-edge seats have an unlikely enemy: toilet paper.

Toto, a major Japanese toilet maker, said last week that users should refrain from wiping their seats with toilet paper as it risks creating micro-scratches on the surface.

The company’s advice came after a series of social media posts complaining about scratches and discoloration.

A Toto representative told Japanese newspaper Mainichi Shimbun that its bidet toilet seats are made of plastic resin due to the material’s “resistance to detergents and its ability to be molded into complex shapes.”

However, wiping the seat with toilet paper or a dry cloth can cause small, invisible scratches where dirt can accumulate and cause discoloration.

But Toto is not the only manufacturer that has advised against using toilet paper to clean toilet seats.

Cleaning experts have already issued similar recommendations that have also been published on lifestyle sites.

Instead of dry toilet paper, it is recommended to use a soft cloth soaked in tap water or detergent. They also advise against using thinners, nylon or metal scouring pads, or abrasives, all of which could damage the surface of the toilet seat.

The company said that while it was looking at more scratch-resistant materials, “there are no plans to change the material at this time.”

The Washlet, Toto’s flagship bidet toilet, includes features like an automatic lid, air dryer, and pressure controls for bidet water flow.

Japanese toilets, with their thoughtful designs seen as an extension of the country’s hotel culture, have become an unlikely tourist attraction for foreigners and a source of pride at home.