Sort phase · 5S Method
Kitchen Declutter Checklist
The Sort phase is the first — and most important — step of the 5S method. Remove everything that doesn't belong before you organise anything. This checklist walks you through the kitchen Sort systematically.
The Sort rule
For every item: Is this item necessary in this room? If yes, it stays. If no, it leaves — to another room, to donation, or to the bin. If you're unsure: red-tag it (or use a box). If you haven't retrieved it in 30 days, it goes.
Do the sort in a single session. Stopping halfway leaves the room in worse shape than before you started.
Your Kitchen Sort checklist
SORT · 整理 🍳 Kitchen
- ○ Remove all items from every cabinet and drawer — sort on the table, not in the cabinet
- ○ Toss expired pantry items, spices older than 2 years, and anything opened but abandoned
- ○ Purge duplicates: one good chef's knife beats three mediocre ones; one wooden spoon is enough
- ○ Remove appliances unused in 6+ months — store or donate
- ○ Clear the counter of everything; return only what is used at least weekly
- ○ Remove anything that doesn't belong in the kitchen (paperwork, keys, chargers)
- ○ Empty the junk drawer and keep only items with a clear purpose
Open interactive checklist + print →
The interactive version lets you select multiple rooms, add your name, and print a formatted card.
What Sort is — and isn't
Sort is
- Removing items that don't belong in the room
- Tossing expired, broken, and worn-out items
- Consolidating duplicates
- Returning items to their correct room
- Deciding — not rearranging
Sort is not
- Organising — that's Set in Order (phase 2)
- Cleaning — that's Shine (phase 3)
- Moving items around within the room
- Buying storage
- Making the room look tidy temporarily