Spring cleaning is a gratifying practice, especially when it comes to eliminating clutter. Nearly everyone has a piece of old exercise equipment, a stack of National Geographic back issues, or some other treasure around the house that may have plenty of useful life left…just not for you. Maybe you can’t bear to throw out that pair of vintage ice skates or your kid’s old karate uniform, but you doubt any thrift store would want it. Luckily, there’s an easy way to find someone locally who wants what you’ve got. It’s called “freecycling,” and it’s catching on nationwide. The local chapter, Freecycle Springfield, boasts more than 3,600 members in Sangamon County and a variety of offerings that change constantly. With three dedicated moderators and a few simple rules to keep transactions happening smoothly, Freecycle Springfield is a neat, modern way to keep useful stuff out of the landfill or even find something you need – for free! Check out the national Freecycle Network online at www.freecycle.org, and find the local chapter at www.groups.yahoo.com/group/freecyclespfldil.