Urine diversion odours

I have a 2-story compost toilet system; the pedestal includes a urine diverter.  I have a constant problem with the smell of old urine and would appreciate suggestions. I have currently tried a combination of methods including "flushing" with water, spraying with vinegar, flushing with vinegar, and powdering with lime. Flushing with copious amounts of vinegar seems to work the best but is expensive. Ideas?

A few more details would be helpful. Where does the urine go? Is there a water trap to isolate the pedestal from the disposal/storage area?

Some ideas:

I know some no-flush urinals tried using an oil seal on top to reduce odour. I haven't personally used one so I can't speak to its effectiveness, but it seems like a good idea.

I have noticed that there is less odour in a regular toilet in "let it mellow" mode if I spray a dish soap and water mix on the whole inside of the bowl. I keep a cheap hand sprayer at hand for this (and for quick cleaning).

In winter, my "diversion" system uses raw char in a bucket or other container with a lid. There is essentially no smell -- the raft of char floats upward and the pH appears to be high enough to slow bacterial decomposition. When it's full and there's a bit of odour, I assume the char has absorbed all the nitrogen it can, and I do an emptying ceremony on the dripline of trees.

I merged your stuff with the following thread. I hope that is okay by you.

I have a 2-story compost toilet system; the pedestal includes a urine diverter.  I have a constant problem with the smell of old urine and would appreciate suggestions. I have currently tried a combination of methods including "flushing" with water, spraying with vinegar, flushing with vinegar, and powdering with lime. Flushing with copious amounts of vinegar seems to work the best but is expensive. Ideas?

Instead of vinegar try baking soda.

Lawren Richards,
I have merged your topic into this topic. I hope that helps.

Douglas Alpenstock wrote: Where does the urine go? Is there a water trap to isolate the pedestal from the disposal/storage area?

Some ideas:
...
I have noticed that there is less odour in a regular toilet in "let it mellow" mode if I spray a dish soap and water mix on the whole inside of the bowl. I keep a cheap hand sprayer at hand for this (and for quick cleaning).

The diverter goes to my wastewater line, through a household p-trap, and freefalls into a greywater basin. The odour does not change even if I just drained an entire bathtub of water, so I believe is more likely coming from microscopic residue in the bowl & chute. It's possible that the soap/water spray might act as a preventative.

Anne Miller wrote:Lawren Richards,
I have merged your topic into this topic. I hope that helps.

I'm fine with merging but don't see any, just the original post 3x?

Anne Miller wrote:Instead of vinegar try baking soda.

Because of the frequency of pee and the fact that it goes into a mulch basin I'm a bit reluctant to add this much salt.  I suppose I could filter and grind the charcoal from my wood stove as an alternative but I don't think the time, effort, and amounts are realistically viable for me. However, I'm open to ideas other than lime as long as they don't clog the line & don't damage the biological balance of the mulch basin.