A method for treating medical instruments after a surgical procedure, which leaves blood or other body fluid on the instrument, includes applying a gel composition that inhibits the fluid from drying on the instruments. The gel composition is preferably a low viscosity gel exhibiting both sufficient flow and coating characteristics. The viscosity is preferably from about 700 to about 4,000 centipoise (cps), preferably around 3,000 cps. Applying a gel to post-surgical medical instruments contains and keeps protein containing fluids moist for extended periods of time and facilitates subsequent transportation, cleaning, and sterilization of such instruments.