You've got the coolers stocked, the lights are just right, and you've set up a great playlist for your backyard get together. The kids' toys, trash cans and your DIY projects have been moved out of view to the side of the house, and the area is just about ready for guests. But a few overlooked details can drive your party right off the rails. And like the old saying goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

Here's a quick guide for key pre-party details you should make sure to take care of ahead of time, to help make the difference between a good party and a great one.

BBQ Grill

First we'll look at barbecue grills. For active grillers, BBQ aficionados and outdoor culinary types, the grill is a centerpiece of quality time at home. Keeping your grill clean is essential for great cooking, better-tasting food and a longer life for your grilling station. You should give your grates a light cleaning after each use, and do a deep cleaning at the beginning and end of each barbecuing season.

It can be a challenge, however, with marinade splatter, burger grease and accumulated leftover chunks of who-knows-what on your grates. These simple steps will help you keep your grill in great working order for years to come.

Pet Odors

We love our pets, but the smells they leave behind can be downright gross. Eliminating those unwanted odors can be tough, because urine, feces and vomit from your pet can work into more absorbent surfaces like gravel, grass and artificial turf, penetrating deeply. Harder surfaces such as concrete and wood are porous as well, giving odor-causing bacteria plenty of space to thrive.

To really get these odors out, you'll want to make sure you're eliminating them, not just covering up the smell. To do that, you'll want a cleaning product with enzymes and live bacteria to break down and eat what's causing those tough smells. Simple Green Outdoor Odor Eliminator is great for this job, with safe, naturally-occurring bacterial microbes that eliminate odors at the source without harming your pets or plants. Let's take a look at steps you can take to get rid of the stink and reclaim your patio, yard, dog run and other outdoor areas from unpleasant smells.

Patio Furniture Cushions

Outdoor furniture is essential for backyard get-togethers, but patio furniture with fabric or cloth cushions are prime stain spots, whether from dirt, bird droppings, tree sap or mildew. This is particularly true if your cushions sit out in the elements unprotected.

If your outdoor cushions don't have removable covers that can be put in the washing machine, pressure washing is often the easiest method for cleaning. It's much easier and less time-consuming than hand-washing or using a garden hose.

Follow these simple steps to bring your patio cushions back to life!