Complaints about scratches on toilet seats manufactured by Japanese company Toto prompted the company to issue an unusual instruction to customers: do not wipe the seats with toilet paper.
A series of posts recently went viral on social media, complaining about newly installed Washlet bidet toilets from Toto that quickly developed scratch marks and discoloration on the plastic resin seats.
A company spokesperson explained that Washlet seats are made of plastic resin for a reason.
“We use the current resin because it is resistant to detergents and can be molded into complex shapes,” a spokesperson told the Mainichi Shimbun.
The representative explained that repeatedly wiping the seats with toilet paper causes tiny scratches that can grow over time and trap dirt, resulting in discoloration.
The company advised customers not to use toilet paper to clean the seats, instead recommending soft, damp clothes and diluted kitchen detergent.
The Toto representative stated that the company is looking into alternatives to the plastic resin that may be more scratch-resistant, but “there are no plans to change the material at this time.”