5S is a reference to five Japanese words that describe standardized cleanup:

• Seiri (sort): tidiness, organization. Refers to the practice of sorting through all the tools, materials, etc., in the work area and keeping only essential items. Everything else is stored or discarded. This leads to fewer hazards and less clutter to interfere with productive work.
• Seiton (set in order): orderliness. Focuses on the need for an orderly workplace. Tools, equipment, and materials must be systematically arranged for the easiest and most efficient access. There must be a place for everything, and everything must be in its place.
• Seiso (shine): cleanliness. Indicates the need to keep the workplace clean as well as neat. Cleaning in Japanese companies is a daily activity. At the end of each shift, the work area is cleaned up and everything is restored to its place.
• Seiketsu (standardize): standards. Allows for control and consistency. Basic housekeeping standards apply everywhere in the facility. Everyone knows exactly what his or her responsibilities are. House keeping duties are part of regular work routines.
• Shitsuke (sustain): sustaining discipline. Refers to maintaining standards and keeping the facility in safe and efficient order day after day, year after year.

  The thumbnail images below link to larger images that depict real-world examples of 5S in use at Idaho companies.

  5S Scan indicates a cluttered workspace.	5S Sort through and sort out to create order.	5S Uses color to create visual cues in the workplace.
  Color, shapes and outlines create a visual workplace where hazards are easily recognised.	Visual cues automatically indicate reorder point.	Peg board at Woodland Furniture eliminates lost tools and search time for tools by creating "a place for everything and everything in its place".
  Shapes, colors and outlines create visual cues on the shop floor.	Visual cues eliminate the guess work regarding where equipment is stored.	IdahoWrecker Sales pegboard creates order.
  Workers at Selkirk Metalbestos of Nampa always know where the cleaning supplies are stored.	Measuring and tracking 5S compliance helps create and build a 5S mindset among workforce.	Woodland Furniture puts a bulls eye on 5S goals and activities.
  Woodland's 5S "commandments" give workers a constant visual reminder of the elements of 5S.	Giving public recognition helps create and sustain the 5S mindset.	Workers at Woodland have taken 5S to an entirely new level!!
  Additional practices are frequently added to 5S, under such headings as 5S Plus, 6S, 5S+2S, 7S, etc. The most common additional S is for Safety.  Purists insist that the other concepts be left out to maintain simplicity and because Safety, for example, is a side-benefit to disciplined housekeeping.