Equipped with music players, automatic flushing devices, and heated seats, Japanese toilets are clearly not afraid to impress with their innovative designs.
But these sophisticated seats have an unexpected enemy: toilet paper.
Toto, a leading Japanese toilet maker, said last week that users should refrain from wiping their seats with toilet paper, as this may result in small scratches on the surface.
The company's advice came after a series of posts on social media complaining about scratches and discolouration.
A Toto representative told Japan's Mainichi Shimbun newspaper that its toilet seats are made of plastic resin because of 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 may accumulate, leading to discoloration.
But Toto is not the only manufacturer that has advised users not to use toilet paper to wipe toilet seats.
Similar recommendations have previously been issued by cleaning experts and have also been published on lifestyle websites.
Instead of dry toilet paper, people recommend using a soft cloth dampened with tap water or detergent. They also advise against using thinners, nylons, metal scrubbers or abrasives – all of which can damage the surface of the toilet seat.
The company said that while it was looking at a more scratch-resistant material, “there are no plans to change the material at this time.”
The Washlet, Toto's flagship bidet toilet, includes features such as an automatic lid, air dryer and pressure controls for the bidet's water stream.
Japanese toilets, with their thoughtful designs seen as an extension of the country's culture of hospitality, have become an unexpected tourist attraction for foreigners and a source of pride at home.
