Amidst the Wuhan virus scare, people are grabbing face masks, hand sanitisers and disinfectants like there is no tomorrow.

If you have had trouble getting hand sanitisers, here's a little tip from Facebook power-user (and CEO of Temasek Holdings) Ho Ching.

Mouthwash, rubbing alcohol as alternatives

"If we can’t get hand sanitisers, we can improvise with most mouthwash or antiseptic mouth wash," she wrote.

She added that you should find those with chlorhexidine (an antiseptic). These types of mouthwash typically come in pink (here's an example).

You can also use rubbing alcohol to sanitise your hands.

Using brandy, maotai, and vodka

"If we (are) desperate, we can use a strong alcohol such as brandy, maotai or vodka!" Ho added.

Known as China's "national liquor", maotai (or moutai) is a type of clear spirit (bai jiu) distilled from red sorghum. It is usually served at Chinese state banquets and presented as diplomatic gifts.

You can get a 200ml bottle of maotai (53 per cent alcohol) on Lazada for a whooping S$256.

That's some expensive improvised hand sanitiser.

How to use mouthwash, alcohol to sanitise your hands

"Rub thoroughly including the back of hand and between fingers, and let dry naturally," wrote Ho.

"Then, use a baby lotion or other moisturisers, to prevent the hand from getting too dry. Symptoms of excessive dryness are peeling skin or redness."

In an afternote, Ho also explained why alcohol can be used to protect yourself from coronaviruses.

The Wuhan coronavirus, just like SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome), are enveloped viruses where the outer "envelope" can get destroyed by sunlight, heat, alcohol, and mild disinfectants.

Products with at least 40 per cent alcohol are effective, Ho added.

"Ethanol or ethyl alcohol is another name - this is what we drink and use for handrub or hand sanitiser.

Methyl alcohol or methanol is the poisonous alcohol stuff which we should not drink. Most hand rubs also contain methanol - so don’t drink your hand rub stuff, folks!"

You can read Ho's full post below:

The reason why you might need to resort to using a S$256 hand sanitiser:

Top images via Value Invest Asia and Licorea.