The reduction in the sol-gel temperature of aqueous poloxamer surfactant compositions by the addition of hydrophobic vicinal diols is provided. Lowering of the sol-gel temperature and the gelling efficiency of water-soluble poloxamer block copolymers of polyethylene oxide-b-polypropylene oxide-b-polyethylene oxide has been markedly improved by the addition of small amounts of at least one hydrophobic vicinal diol, such as monoalkyl glycols, monoalkyl glycerols, or monoacyl glycerols. The decrease in the sol-gel temperature facilitates gel formation, and such gels exhibit greater residence time on a surface, particularly those with biological properties.