With the arrival of a new season, it’s time to make the seasonal change in our wardrobe. This transition can be a perfect opportunity to apply the 5S methodology, a Japanese visual management system that promotes order, organisation and efficiency. When it comes to the seasonal wardrobe change, using the 5S methodology makes it easier for us to optimise space, simplify garment selection and keep an impeccable wardrobe, besides facilitating the access to our wardrobe.
Which are the advantages of 5S?
Space optimisation: the change of season involves the need to make some changes into your wardrobe and rearrange the offseason clothes, and making space for the other clothes suitable for the new season. By applying the 5S methodology, you can organise clothes efficiently, optimizing the space available in the wardrobe. This gives you a clear view of what you own and makes it easier to choose suitable clothing.
Time-saving: with a well-organised wardrobe thanks to the 5S methodology, the process of selecting clothes becomes much quicker and more efficient. Seasonal clothes will be easily accessible and visible, avoiding the need to search through off-season or messy clothes. It will save precious time in the mornings or before going out, allowing you to start your day in the best possible way.
Reduced decision-making stress: the season change can involve making some decisions on which clothes to keep or which ones to put aside. The 5S methodology simplifies this process, as the elimination phase (Seiri) means to make an evaluation on the clothes suitable for the current season. By reducing the number of options, also the decision-making stress is being reduced, making the process easier to be managed and even more pleasant.
Keeping things in order over the time: the 5S methodology is not only limited to the change of seasons, but it also promotes keeping the order on long term. Once applied, the 5S methodology makes it easier to maintain a tidy wardrobe over the following seasons. By following the organisation, cleaning and standardisation methods, you avoid mess and create a pleasant and functional environment to manage your clothes efficiently.
Clothes care and storage: this approach encourages also the care and storage of clothes during the change of seasons. The cleaning phase (Seiso) guarantees that the clothes are washed, treated and stored correctly, keeping them in good condition. In addition, this kind of organisation (Seiton) and standardisation (Seiketsu) help to avoid any damages to garments, such as creases or tearing, reducing the need for repairs or replacements.
How can the 5S methodology be practically applied to our wardrobe?
The five basic stages of the 5S methodology are: Seiri (sort), Seiton (set in order), Seiso (shine), Seiketsu (standardize) and Shitsuke (sustain). These phases can be applied in many contexts, especially industrial ones, but in this case, we will apply it to the clothes season change.
Phase 1 – Seiri (sort – elimination)
The Seiri phase, in the seasonal change of clothes, means selecting and eliminating the clothes that are no longer suitable for the current season. You must carefully evaluate each garment and separate those that will not be used during the coming season. Remove the damaged clothes, those that no longer fit or no longer reflect our style. Donating or selling these garments can be a great way to reduce clutter and make room for new clothes. In order to understand which clothes, you should keep, all that you need to do is answer a simple question: will I wear this next week? This careful selection will reduce wardrobe clutter by at least 30% and create space for new seasonal clothes.
Phase 2: Seiton (set in order – organization)
The second step is crucial for efficiently organizing the seasonal clothes in the wardrobe. Garments should be arranged by their type (shirts, trousers, dresses, etc.) and organised according to their colour or most frequently used. Use clearly labelled hangers, drawers and boxes to facilitate the identification of the desired garments. Make sure that everything is well-organized and easily accessible, creating an intuitive system to simplify your selection. The advice is to tag the hangers in different colours as well, so that you can immediately recognise which and where your garments are located. Ensure that each item has its assigned place to simplify the search and selection. “A place for everything and everything in its place”.
Phase 3: Seiso (shine – cleaning)
The Seiso phase involves an inspection including a thorough cleaning of the wardrobe and of the garments. Before storing the seasonal clothes, it is advisable to wash them, or dry-clean the delicate ones. Clean and vacuum clean the wardrobe to remove dust, lint or any eventual residues. Furthermore, it is important to pay attention to the care of clothing, removing stains or repairing any possible damages. A clean and well cared wardrobe will help you to keep your clothes in a good condition and ready for use in the next season.
Phase 4: Seiketsu (standardization)
The Seiketsu phase concerns the implementation of standard procedures and practices to maintain order in the wardrobe on a long-term basis. Creating a visual management system, like labels or tags, to easily identify each section or clothing category. Set a regular routine to review and reorganise the wardrobe, making sure that everything is always in its place. Involve all family or household members in maintaining and joining 5S practices to keep things in order.
Phase 5: Shitsuke (sustain – discipline)
The last phase is Shitsuke, focused on constant compliance with 5S practices in changing the clothing season, but most of all, it is a phase of standards control. Promoting a discipline culture and individual responsibility to keep your wardrobe tidy over the time. Encourage all family or household members to follow the procedures and practices established. Making a constant effort to keep the wardrobe organised, tidy and clean.
The application of the 5S steps in changing the clothing season can also be successfully implemented in many companies and organisations that are facing the challenge of adopting to the changes involved. The season change requires a space reorganisation and an efficient management of resources to cope with the new demands. In this context, the use of the lean 5S methodology proves to be a valuable tool to ensure a smooth change of seasons and a more organised and efficient working environment. •
di by
ALESSANDRO MARTEMUCCI
Lean Marketing Manager
OFFICINAE LEAN & DIGITAL MARKETING
Via Passarelli 99, Matera (I) – Tel. +39 0835 333321
info@officinae.com www.officinae.com
DETERGO Magazine # July/August 2023
