Abstract: A swab collection and recovery device comprising: an elongate tube having at least one side wall, an open top, and a closed bottom; a cap for closing the top of the tube; and a swab having a handle wherein one end of the swab comprises an absorbent material and the other end of the swab is attached to the inside of the cap, wherein the cap and the swab can be removed from the tube as a single unit; wherein the elongate tube further comprises a compressible indentation along the side wall, and the absorbent end of the swab can be squeezed at the position of the compressible indentation to express absorbed liquids into the bottom of the tube. A method of taking a culture sample comprising using the swab collection and recovery device.