Whether you're a college or pro football fanatic, watching the game is a staple in homes across the country. According to a Pew Research Center study, over 50% of Americans voted football as "America's sport," compared to 27% who voted for baseball and 8% for basketball. It's a sport that inspires dedicated fandoms who tailgate and closely follow every game.
If you're hosting a watch party, here's how to get your home ready for guests.
Living Room: Set Up for the Watch Party
Your living room is home base for the day, so give it some attention before your friends and family arrive.
- Vacuum: Vacuum carpets, rugs, and floors, making sure to get behind furniture.
- Wipe and dust surfaces: Clean remotes, coffee tables, and mantles with Simple Green All-Purpose Cleaner. It cuts through everyday grime without the need for harsh chemicals.
- Clear the sightlines: Rearrange seating so every chair has a clean view of the TV.
- Add extra seating: Pull in stools, floor cushions, or folding chairs so everyone has a seat.
- Set out coasters and napkins everywhere: The easier you make it to avoid a mess, the fewer messes you'll have.
Kitchen: Manage the Game Day Menu Without the Chaos
The kitchen takes the biggest hit on game day, between snack prep and the inevitable spills.
- Make a few dishes ahead of time: What's a game day party without chicken wings, sliders, nachos, and pizza? Prep and cook a few dishes ahead of time, or ask guests to bring a potluck-style dish.
- Designate a table for food: Have one table for food, with plates, napkins, cutlery, and cups available on the table.
- And another table for drinks: Keep food and drinks at separate stations to avoid a bottleneck and cut down on spills near the food.
- Use disposable or easy-clean serving ware: Fewer dishes means more time watching the game.
- Wipe as you go: When spills happen (and they will, especially if you have kids!), clean them up immediately with All-Purpose Cleaner or Simple Green Heavy-Duty Towels. Remember, dab the stain — never rub.
- Set out multiple trash cans: Don't have your trash can hidden where guests can't find it. Set it out near the food table and put out an extra one if you have it for recyclables like plastic bottles, glass, and cans.
- Tackle grease and sauce splatters on the stovetop right away: All-Purpose Cleaner is tough enough to cut through baked-on grease and spills before it has a chance to set.
Outdoor Space: Get Your Yard Game Day Ready
If your game day get-together spills outside, your yard needs a pre-game routine too.
- Rake up leaves and debris: Playing a game of flag football in your yard? Clear debris so guests have a clear, safe space to play.
- Clean outdoor furniture: Wipe down all surfaces with All-Purpose Cleaner and clear away any debris like dust and leaves so guests have a comfortable (and clean) place to sit.
- Set up a designated grill zone: If you plan on grilling, make sure your grill is situated away from foot traffic. If it's been sitting collecting dust, learn how to clean any type of grill.
- Neutralize trash and pet odors: The last thing you want is for guests to be turned off by bad smells in your outdoor space. Before guests arrive, spray Simple Green Outdoor Odor Eliminator around trash cans, patios, and grill areas to keep things smelling fresh.
- Check the weather: A light tarp or cover for seating can save you from a rain delay or soggy seats.
Removing Game Day Stains: Grass, Mud, and More
Even with the best prep, stains happen. Knowing how to handle them fast is your best defense.
- Grass and mud stains: For mud and dirt stains, let them dry completely, brush off the excess, then treat with Simple Green All-Purpose Cleaner Lemon Scent and rub the solution into the fabric (or use a laundry brush). For grass stains, follow the same steps, making sure the stain is gone before you throw it in the washing machine. Simple Green lifts ground-in dirt and grass stains without harsh chemicals.
- Food and sauce spills: Cooking oil stains can be some of the hardest stains to remove from fabric. Blot, never rub, to avoid pushing the stain deeper into the fabric or carpet, then treat with Simple Green All-Purpose Cleaner. Spray the stain until wet and toss in the wash.
- Drink spills: If you or a guest spills their drink on carpet or rugs, act fast. Grab a Heavy-Duty Towel and blot immediately, then follow up with All-Purpose Cleaner if any residue is left behind.
- Lingering outdoor odors: If mud, grass, or trash smells stick around after cleanup, the enzymes in Outdoor Odor Eliminator can help neutralize what plain soap and water can't.
With Simple Green in your corner and a little prep in the living room, kitchen, and yard, you can focus on what matters: the game.
