Jakarta -Japanese toilets are often equipped with music players, automatic flushers, and heated seats. However, that sophisticated toilet seat has an unexpected arch-nemesis: toilet paper.
Yes, they are clearly not afraid to make a splash with another innovative design. Quoting the BBC, Thursday (2/1/2025), Toto, a leading toilet manufacturer in Japan, said last week that users should refrain from wiping the seat with toilet tissue.
Because that action can cause small scratches on its surface. The company then issued the suggestion after a series of social media posts complaining about scratches and discoloration on the toilet seat.
A Toto representative told the Japanese newspaper, Mainichi Shimbun, that the bidet toilet seat is made of plastic resin because this material is resistant to detergents and can be molded into complex shapes.
However, wiping the seat with toilet tissue or a dry cloth can cause small, invisible scratches where dirt can accumulate, leading to discoloration.
However, Toto is not the only manufacturer that advises users not to use toilet paper to wipe the toilet seat.
Similar recommendations had previously been issued by hygiene experts and also published on lifestyle websites.
Instead of dry toilet paper, they recommend using a soft cloth dampened with tap water or detergent. They also recommend not using thinners, nylon or metal scrubs, or abrasive scrubs – all of which can damage the surface of the toilet seat.
The company stated that although they are looking for more scratch-resistant materials, “there are currently no plans to change the material.”
Washlet, Toto’s flagship bidet toilet, features such as an automatic lid, air dryer, and pressure control for the bidet water flow.
Japanese toilets, with their thoughtful designs and viewed as an extension of the country’s culture of hospitality, have become a fascinating tourist attraction for foreign visitors and a source of pride for the Japanese people.
