INSIDE & OUT : NITTY-GRITTY

* To clean a stained teapot, fill with water and 1/4 cup bleach; let sit; rinse thoroughly before using.

* To loosen a rusted bolt easily, pour a few drops of carbonated soft drink onto the rusted nail or bolt. The acid in the soda will break up some of the rust.

* Clean walls with a solution of one quart warm water and two tablespoons vinegar. Rinse well and dry.

* Shine chrome fixtures with a soft cloth dampened with cider vinegar.

* To keep the house smelling fresh, pour a few drops of wintergreen oil (purchased at drugstores) onto a cotton ball and place in a glass container. The smell will last for several weeks and can be replenished easily when it fades.

* Use an old blender with a glass bowl to mix latex paint thoroughly. When finished, clean glass container with hot water and a small amount of dish detergent and whisk clean by turning on the appliance.

* Tips for the gardeners: Try using an apple corer to dig up garden weeds; a hot-water bottle filled partially with water can provide a cushion for knees, curtain rods are a sturdy support for vines.