A biological soil detector is provided, having: a solid support member; a specific indicator immobilized on the solid support member; and a retaining member which holds the solid support, the retaining member and solid support are configured so that the solid support will readily contact a surface being tested for the presence of biological soil. A method for the use of the detector is also provided, the method including the following steps: contacting the biological soil detector with a surface; withdrawing the biological soil detector from the surface; and inspecting the solid support member of the detector to determine whether the specific indicator immobilized has interacted with biological soil. In still another aspect, the invention provides biological soil detector and a method for using the detector in which the detector includes: a solid support member that has been treated with at least one amine or quaternary functional coating; and a specific indicator immobilized on the coating.