Using 5S in Home Decluttering

5S stands for five Japanese words prominent in Japan's production and manufacturing lines. It is a methodology stemming from Toyota's Production System aiming to maximize efficiency and quality. Fortunately, the practice isn't limited to the manufacturing and production. It also applies to other industries such as UX, graphic design, admin work, management systems like home decluttering.

Home decluttering won't amount to profit, but it is work done at home. Applying the 5S principle in your home makes household items accessible and clears the area of unwanted items. The philosophy of 5S enables you to redecorate and rearrange the stuff in your home based on your liking. Moreover, it allows you gain more space to maximize movement and function of each nook and cranny. Using 5S in decluttering benefits homes with limited floor area. A condo unit at Avida Towers Cloverleaf will appear twice its size when each item is in its proper place.

The 5S Philosophy

Seiri, seiton, seiso, seiketsu and shitsuke makes up the 5S philosophy by Sakichi Toyoda. These Japanese words comprise the steps of managing and organizing each aspect of your home. They also have an English counterpart which is the literal translation of each word. Thus, it is easy to apply the concept and follow its flow.

1. Sort

Seiri means 'to sort.' Sorting is a strategy toward the visual organization and maintaining order in the working area. Sorting is not the same as rearranging home items by location. The process involves segregating your thing by the frequency of use. You can also separate the stuff by its use. Use tags to mark your items or place them in bins with labels. That way, you know where to put them afterward.

If you plan to use tags, you can follow a color scheme. Use red markers for rarely used or unnecessary home items and green for those which frequently catch the light of the day. When using a bin, you must label it based on use and importance or relevance to daily living.

2. Set in order

Seiton is all about 'setting in order.' Once you identify your stuff through sorting, you can proceed to place them in order. You can store appliances and household objects you seldom use at the back of cupboard, drawers or overhead storages. Meanwhile, those essential to everyday living and activities are best on open-shelving, multi-use furniture, and surfaces. Cleaning agents and tools, reference books, school or office supplies, cooking utensils, and spices are some home items you must store within sight or easy-to-reach spaces. Doing so reduces the time spent on looking for them. However, don't forget to apply caution. Chemicals and other harmful materials such as sharp cutting tools must be out of children's reach.

3. Shine

' To shine' or seiso involves deep cleaning. However, cleaning won't only apply after the initial sorting and setting things in order. It must be consistent. You must keep parts of your home neat after each use. Polish your tools, sweep and mop the floor, wipe each surface to keep everything in order. Remember to inspect the condition of your devices and the workplace to attend to repairs and defects.

4. Standardize

The next step is seiketsu or 'to standardize' the method of sorting and tidying after finding a place for your home items and cleaning them until they shine. You must establish a standard to help you formulate rules to employ the 3S effectively. Involve each person in your household when creating standards and securing the location of each item. You can also implement other visual management ideas to ensure each person contributes to the upkeep.

5. Sustain

The last part of 5S is shitsuke. For 5S to become active, you must sustain the procedures of order and neatness. You and your family must be consistent in the process of sorting, organizing, and cleaning to keep the state of your environment. Maintaining the habit helps you refine the steps and discover innovative ideas to keep clutter out of your home.

The Dual Nature of the 5S Philosophy

The process of 5S is a way to declutter and instill discipline within the household. Your home becomes an eco-friendly environment when you learn to store the items required for daily sustenance. Each member of the family will minimize harboring unnecessary items and save your home's spaces for the essential stuff for everyday life. The habit makes your home easy to maintain and decorate.

A clutter-free, tidy space is also visually appealing. It grants the viewer a peace of mind which opens different possibilities for different home layout.