Home composters don't know which organic materials are safe to compost without damaging their pile

Home gardeners and composters struggle with uncertainty about which food scraps and organic materials will actually break down properly or harm their compost ecosystem. Citrus peels, for example, contain oils and acidity that can inhibit decomposition or kill beneficial microorganisms, but this knowledge isn't intuitive. Without clear guidance, people either waste compostable materials by throwing them away, or ruin their compost piles through trial and error, losing months of work and nutrients.