What are the 6S of cleaning? A Comprehensive Guide

September 25, 2025 •

5 min read

The 6S methodology, an evolution of the Japanese 5S system, was specifically developed to enhance efficiency and safety in the workplace. So, what are the 6S of cleaning, and how can applying this comprehensive framework significantly improve your organization and sanitation practices? This guide explains each 'S' in detail to help you create a safer and more productive environment.

Quick Summary

The 6S of cleaning are Sort, Set in Order, Shine, Standardize, Sustain, and Safety, a structured methodology for creating and maintaining an organized, clean, and efficient workplace.

Key Points

Sort (Seiri): The first step of 6S is to sort through all items in a workspace and remove anything that is unnecessary or not regularly used to eliminate clutter.
Set in Order (Seiton): After sorting, organize all necessary items into a specific, designated location using visual markers and labels to ensure easy access and retrieval.
Shine (Seiso): This pillar involves regular, thorough cleaning and inspection of the work area and equipment to maintain a clean environment and identify potential problems early.
Standardize (Seiketsu): Standardizing ensures that the procedures for sorting, setting in order, and shining are consistent and repeatable through the use of checklists and documented guidelines.
Sustain (Shitsuke): Sustaining is the ongoing commitment to making 6S a habit and part of the daily culture through continuous training, audits, and reinforcement.
Safety: Added to the original 5S method, the sixth 'S' makes safety an explicit priority, focusing on identifying and mitigating hazards in every step of the process.
Enhanced Efficiency and Safety: Implementing the 6S methodology reduces waste, minimizes errors, and creates a more organized and safer workspace, applicable in industries from manufacturing to healthcare.

Delving into the Six Pillars of the 6S Methodology

The 6S method provides a systematic approach to workplace organization that goes beyond simple cleaning. Each 'S' represents a critical step in a continuous improvement process, which originated in lean manufacturing and has since been adapted for various settings, including healthcare and general housekeeping. Understanding each pillar is the first step toward effective implementation.

1. Sort (Seiri)

This first pillar is about separating the necessary from the unnecessary. In any given space, you will find items that are used frequently, occasionally, and rarely, or not at all. The sorting process involves going through all items and removing those that are not essential for the task at hand. The goal is to eliminate clutter, which can slow down work, pose safety hazards, and create inefficiency.

Evaluate everything: Walk through the area and identify every item. Ask questions like, "Is this item truly needed here?" and "When was the last time this item was used?"
Use red-tagging: Items identified as unnecessary can be marked with a "red tag" and moved to a holding area. This provides a clear visual signal to other team members and allows for a final decision on the item's fate.
Discard, donate, or relocate: After review, tagged items are either discarded, donated, or moved to a more appropriate storage location.

2. Set in Order (Seiton)

Once you have removed unnecessary items, the next step is to organize what remains. This pillar is all about creating a designated, logical place for every essential item to minimize wasted time and effort searching for tools or materials. The principle is: "a place for everything, and everything in its place".

Optimize placement: Arrange items based on their frequency of use. Place the most frequently used tools closest to the user.
Label everything: Use clear, consistent labeling for storage locations, shelves, and containers. This visual management technique ensures that items are easy to find and return.
Create visual markers: Use shadow boards, floor tape, and tool outlines to make it immediately obvious if an item is missing or out of place.

3. Shine (Seiso)

This step is not just about cleaning; it's about cleaning and inspecting the workplace. By keeping the area clean, you are also routinely inspecting it for damage, defects, or issues that could lead to bigger problems. This proactive approach helps to maintain a safe and productive environment.

Develop cleaning routines: Establish a regular schedule for cleaning tasks and assign responsibilities to specific individuals or teams.
Integrate inspection: The act of cleaning should include looking for potential hazards or equipment malfunctions. For example, a spill is not just cleaned up—its source is investigated to prevent it from happening again.
Cleanliness as inspection: A clean machine is easier to inspect for leaks, loose parts, or other issues than a dirty one.

4. Standardize (Seiketsu)

Standardization ensures that the first three S's become a consistent, repeatable process rather than a one-time event. This pillar focuses on creating the guidelines and protocols necessary to maintain the new, improved level of organization and cleanliness.

Create checklists: Develop visual guides and checklists for cleaning, organizing, and inspection routines.
Establish best practices: Document standardized procedures for different tasks. This consistency ensures quality is maintained across different shifts or teams.
Make standards visible: Post the standards in the work area to serve as a constant reminder for everyone.

5. Sustain (Shitsuke)

Sustaining is the most challenging and crucial aspect of the 6S method. It involves building the discipline and culture to ensure that the practices of the first four S's are followed over the long term. Without this commitment, a workspace can quickly revert to its old habits.

Foster ownership: Encourage every team member to take ownership of their work area. This shift in mindset from “housekeeping's job” to “my responsibility” is vital for long-term success.
Conduct regular audits: Perform periodic inspections and audits to monitor compliance and identify areas for improvement. Audits are not about punishment but about reinforcement and continuous improvement.
Provide training and recognition: Continuously train new employees and provide refresher courses for existing staff. Recognize and reward teams that excel in upholding the 6S standards to motivate ongoing effort.

6. Safety

The final 'S' explicitly adds a focus on workplace safety, differentiating 6S from the original 5S methodology. Integrating safety into every step is crucial for protecting employees and preventing accidents.

Identify hazards: During the 'Sort' and 'Shine' phases, actively look for potential safety hazards such as trip risks, exposed wires, or faulty equipment.
Incorporate safety measures: In the 'Set in Order' phase, ensure safety equipment like fire extinguishers and first-aid kits are easily accessible. For 'Standardize', develop clear safety protocols and procedures.
Promote a safety-first culture: Continuously communicate and emphasize the importance of safety. Ensure that everyone understands their role in maintaining a safe work environment.

6S vs. 5S: A comparison table


Aspect	5S Methodology	6S Methodology
Core Pillars	Sort, Set in Order, Shine, Standardize, Sustain	Sort, Set in Order, Shine, Standardize, Sustain, Safety
Focus	Efficiency, organization, waste reduction	Efficiency, organization, waste reduction, explicit safety emphasis
Key Differentiator	Safety is implicitly part of the process, especially 'Shine' and 'Sustain'.	Adds an explicit, dedicated pillar for safety (Anzen), ensuring it's a primary focus.
Application	Broadly applicable to any workspace, but primarily associated with lean manufacturing.	Used in a wider range of industries, especially those with high safety requirements, such as healthcare and industrial settings.
Implementation Mindset	Focuses on improving the workspace for productivity gains.	Adds a stronger focus on employee well-being and proactive hazard prevention alongside productivity.

Implementing 6S in a general health setting

Implementing the 6S methodology in a clinic, hospital, or wellness center can lead to significant improvements in efficiency and patient care. The principles can be applied to everything from patient rooms and supply closets to administrative offices.

Sort: Remove expired medication, unused or broken equipment, and outdated paperwork from storage areas.
Set in Order: Create a clear, color-coded system for storing medical supplies, instruments, and patient records. Use labels and visual aids to help staff quickly find what they need during critical moments.
Shine: Establish daily cleaning schedules that include inspecting equipment and facilities for any defects or unsanitary conditions. Digital logs can help track sanitation.
Standardize: Develop standard operating procedures (SOPs) for restocking supplies, cleaning protocols, and equipment maintenance. Use checklists to ensure consistency across all shifts.
Sustain: Conduct regular internal audits to monitor compliance. Reward departments that excel and provide additional training where needed to maintain momentum and cultural buy-in.
Safety: Prioritize patient and staff safety by conducting regular risk assessments. Ensure emergency exits are always clear and staff are trained on proper handling of hazardous materials. One study showed how a visual and 6S management system significantly reduced the incidence of nursing adverse events.

Conclusion: The power of a systematic approach

The 6S of cleaning is far more than just tidying up; it is a systematic and disciplined approach to optimizing any workspace. By consistently applying the six pillars—Sort, Set in Order, Shine, Standardize, Sustain, and Safety—organizations can reduce waste, improve efficiency, and, most importantly, create a safer and more pleasant environment for everyone. This methodology creates a culture of continuous improvement, where organization and safety are not seen as a one-time project but as an ongoing way of working. It is a foundational step towards operational excellence and a proactive approach to maintaining high standards of cleanliness and care.

Frequently Asked Questions

The primary difference is the addition of the 'Safety' pillar in the 6S methodology. While safety is implicitly addressed in the original 5S framework, 6S makes safety an explicit, separate focus to ensure proactive hazard identification and mitigation.

The 6S methodology evolved from the Toyota Production System's original 5S system. The foundational principles were developed in Japan as a lean manufacturing tool to improve efficiency and reduce waste.

To implement 6S in a clinic, start with a pilot area, such as a supply closet. Sort through expired items, set in order by labeling storage, shine by establishing daily cleaning checks, standardize procedures with checklists, and sustain the effort with regular audits. Explicitly incorporate safety checks for all equipment and processes.

A 'red-tag' is used to identify items that are potentially unnecessary or unneeded in a workspace. These items are tagged and moved to a holding area for evaluation, where a decision is made to discard, relocate, or keep them.

The Sustain step is crucial because it ensures the improvements made in the first five steps are maintained over the long term. Without a cultural commitment to upholding the new standards, a workspace can easily revert to its previous, less-organized state.

Yes, implementing 6S can improve patient care by reducing medical errors, optimizing workflows, and enhancing patient satisfaction. A structured, organized, and clean environment directly contributes to a safer and more efficient healthcare delivery system.

6S fosters a culture of continuous improvement by embedding regular auditing and feedback mechanisms into the process. The ongoing reinforcement and monitoring in the 'Sustain' phase ensure that the system is constantly being reviewed and refined to achieve greater levels of efficiency and safety.