/pjg/ FAQ

Urine has a lot of qualities and uses, and that makes it a perfect match for a /diy/ general.

• https://archived.moe/diy/thread/2550955 - first thread
• https://archived.moe/diy/thread/2629030 - second thread

What it is

Starting with the basics: it is mainly water (91% to 96%), with inorganic compounds such as salt (NaCl), and organic solutes including urea, creatinine, uric acid, and trace amounts of many other things. Extremely detailed information is available in The Human Urine Metabolome.

Fresh from the tap, it doesn't smell much, but since it is rich in nutrients also for bacteria, it takes very little time before it reeks. Also, urea and water form an equilibrium reaction with CO₂ and ammonia, and ammonia also stinks.

CO(NH₂)₂ + H₂O <--> 2NH₃ + CO2

Over time struvite crystals form. These are either powdery or flakes, and beige in colour. Struvite is magnesium ammonium phosphate, and is useful as fertilizer.

Health

Normal unloading should not exceed 300 ml. More than that means the pressure is too high and the kidneys will have problems eliminating creatinine.

Excessive exercising will lead to urine the colour of coke. That is a sign of Rhabdomyolysis, a serious and potential fatal problem.

Uses

Woad

The only thing I know it can be used for is processing woad ("celtic blue", similar to indigo dye).

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isatis_tinctoria
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a6B9euzxXr0

Fertilizing

Being rich in nitrogen and phosphorus, it can be used as fertilizer. Urea is also taken up directly by blades. To avoid smell, let the urine sink in and then dump a bucket of water over the same area. Many claim you need to dilute 1:10 but tests show that using it neat works well, and many report it makes rose bushes take to the skies. Just remember that urine is poor in potassium. Hormone medication will wash out in the urine and might be unsuitable for use.

• https://youtu.be/XTo_SH6vbDU

One anon suspected that generous amounts of urine caused his compost tumbler to rust through.

Mulching

Mulching/composting relies on bacteria, and urine is reported to get them working, overtime.

Chemistry and Explosives

• https://hackaday.com/2015/06/15/gunpowder-from-urine-fighting-a-gorn/ - Making gunpowder from urine
• Making white phosphorus - this involves boiling huge amounts of urine and is not compatile with good neighbourhoods

Just remember that white phosphorus is phosphorescent and a tempting project, but also spontaneously combusts.

Dogs

One anon reported that I had a problem with my neighbour's dog, so I poured vast amounts of pee at the border between the properties. Dogs respect quantities, especially if they cannot mark over it, even if they wrung themselves. The grass was noticeably more lush after a surprisingly short while.

Refridgeration

Hackaday has an article on refridgeration using urine.

In Culture

• https://www.gocomics.com/bc/2023/04/19
• https://www.reddit.com/r/calvinandhobbes/comments/vkx3ip/calvin_hobbes_for_june_26_2022/

As for working "culture", one anon reported that Fun fact: most condo buildings over like 5 storeys have piss bottles in the walls because when the various trades are doing their thing, toilets are almost never hooked up, and no one wants to spend 30min walking up and down stairs just to take a piss. Then when the drywallers come, they see it say "not my fucking problem" and just drywall over it, leaving the piss bottle there for the next 25-50+ years.