The invention relates to methods and kits for use in reducing microbial counts on a patients skin prior to surgery. Such a kit may be sealed, and include a dry substrate, a container of antiseptic composition, a tray with recessed portion(s), and a cover in sealing contact with a top rim of the tray to seal the contents in the tray. Such a kit may include two (e.g., identical) trays, which are initially attached to one another, each tray providing contents sufficient for one use (e.g., one use within 2 hours of the scheduled surgery, and a prior use done earlier (e.g., the night before). The related method may include providing the kit, removing the cover, dosing the substrate with the antiseptic composition in the trays recessed region, and using the dosed substrate to apply the composition to skin proximate a location of the invasive procedure to be performed.
