Cleaners. Sanitizers. Disinfectants.

While cleaning, sanitizing, and disinfecting might seem synonymous, they serve distinct purposes. For this edition of “How It’s Made” with FlexTrades, we’re focusing on sanitizers—specifically, commercial hand sanitizer.

Hand sanitizers have become a staple in our daily routines, especially in recent times. While many have turned to DIY recipes, we’re diving into the commercial manufacturing process that ensures consistency, efficacy, and safety.

Key Ingredients in Hand Sanitizer

The effectiveness of hand sanitizer hinges on its composition.

Active Ingredients:

  • Alcohols: Ethyl Alcohol (Ethanol) or Isopropyl Alcohol are primary antiseptic agents. For efficacy, hand sanitizers should contain an alcohol concentration between 60% and 95%.
  • Benzalkonium Chloride: An alternative antiseptic agent used in some formulations.

Additional Ingredients:

  • Emollients and Gelling Agents: These provide moisturization and contribute to the gel-like consistency.
  • Denaturants: Added to deter ingestion by imparting a bitter taste.
  • Fragrances and Colorants: Enhance user experience with pleasant scents and appearance.

The Manufacturing Process

Producing commercial hand sanitizer involves several meticulous steps to ensure a high-quality product.

1. Compounding

  • Preparation: Raw materials are measured and added into large vessels known as batch tanks or mixers. Depending on the ingredient, this can be done manually or automatically.
  • Mixing: Mechanical agitators within these vessels blend the ingredients under controlled parameters, such as time and speed, to achieve a uniform mixture.

2. Quality Control

  • Sampling: Technicians extract samples from the mixture to verify adherence to specifications, including viscosity and alcohol content.
  • Adjustments: If deviations are detected, formulations are adjusted accordingly to maintain product integrity.

3. Filling, Capping, and Labeling

  • Filling: The blended sanitizer is transferred from holding tanks to filling machines, which dispense precise volumes into individual bottles.
  • Capping: Caps are automatically oriented and secured onto the filled bottles.
  • Labeling: Bottles receive labels through heat-pressed applications or adhesives, often at impressive speeds reaching up to 200 bottles per minute.

4. Packaging and Palletizing

  • Boxing: Finished bottles are systematically placed into boxes.
  • Palletizing: Boxes are stacked onto pallets, ready for storage or shipment to meet consumer demand.

5. Ongoing Quality Assurance

Throughout the entire production line, continuous quality checks are conducted—from initial raw material assessment to final product inspection—to ensure safety and efficacy.

Final Thoughts

The production of hand sanitizer is a testament to the precision and dedication inherent in manufacturing. At FlexTrades, we celebrate the intricate processes and skilled professionals that bring essential products to market, ensuring safety and well-being for all.

The temperatures are climbing. You’re driving from one assignment to the next. You’re focused, dialed in, ready to work. But as your Project Manager always says—safety first. What does that actually mean when you’re on the road in the heat of summer?

In honor of National Safety Month, we’ve pulled together 15 must-have items that every traveling technician, tradesperson, or road warrior should carry in their car during the hotter months.

15 Summer Safety Items You Should Keep in Your Vehicle

Whether you’re heading to a new job site or just navigating your regular route, make sure your car is stocked with these essentials.

  1. First Aid Kit: Fully stocked and accessible. You never know when you or someone nearby might need it.
  2. Sunscreen: An extra bottle goes a long way. You’re not always in the shade, and sunburn can sneak up fast on long days.
  3. Jumper Cables: Help yourself or someone else out of a jam. It’s a small item that makes a big difference.
  4. Basic Toolkit: An adjustable wrench, duct tape, a couple screwdrivers, and pliers can help fix minor issues without delay.
  5. Reflective Blanket: Great for creating shade or staying warm when the temperature dips at night.
  6. Reflective Triangles or Roadside Flares: Stay visible if your vehicle breaks down, especially in low light.
  7. Heat-Resistant Snacks: Granola bars, trail mix, or anything that won’t melt or spoil in the heat.
  8. Water: Keep a few bottles handy—for drinking, refilling your radiator, or cleaning up in a pinch.
  9. Tire Sealant: A temporary fix if you get a flat and can’t make it to the shop right away.
  10. Tire Jack: Make sure it’s compatible with your vehicle and in good working condition.
  11. Work Gloves: Protect your hands and improve your grip when dealing with tools or hot surfaces.
  12. Flashlight or Rechargeable Light: Battery-powered or solar—just make sure it works when you need it most.
  13. Map or Road Atlas: Old school, sure. But if GPS fails, you’ll be glad you have it. Just make sure you know how to read it.
  14. Spare Phone Charger: Keep a backup in your glovebox or bag—charged and ready to go.
  15. Emergency Radio: Stay informed when cell service is limited, especially during storms or natural disasters.

Be Safe. Be Smart. Be Ready.

At FlexTrades, safety is never an afterthought. It’s a mindset. And being prepared for the unexpected isn’t just good advice—it’s part of the job. Keep your car stocked. Keep yourself protected. And keep moving forward with confidence.

Want more tips on workplace safety?
Check out our article on Reinforcing Safety in Your Workplace.