Toto says don’t wipe toilet seats with toilet paper

Japanese toilets – equipped with music players, automatic flushes and heated seats – are clearly not afraid to make a splash with their innovative design.

But those front seats have an unlikely enemy: toilet paper.

Toto, a leading Japanese toilet maker, said last week that users should refrain from wiping the seats with toilet paper as this could create micro-scratches on the surface.

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

A Toto representative told Japan’s Mainichi Shimbun newspaper that the toilet-bidet 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 collect, causing discoloration.

But Toto isn’t the only manufacturer that has advised users not to use toilet paper to wipe down toilet seats.

Similar recommendations have previously been issued by cleaning experts and published on lifestyle websites.

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 scrubbers or abrasives, all of which can damage the surface of the toilet seat.

The company said that while it is considering more scratch-resistant materials, “there are currently no plans to change the material.”

The Washlet, Toto’s flagship bidet toilet, includes features such as an automatic lid, air dryer and pressure controls for the flow of water into the bidet.

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