A cleaning device in an electrostatic copying apparatus for removing residual toner particles from the surface of a photosensitive member adapted to move through an endless conveying passage, which comprises a blade holding mechanism (52, 54) mounted pivotally around an axis (48) extending substantially parallel to the surface of the photosensitive member (30) and substantially perpendicular to the moving direction of the photosensitive member and a cleaning blade (56) mounted on the blade holding mechanism. This cleaning device (56) further includes a first spring means (70) for elastically biasing the blade holding mechanism to a non-operating position at which the cleaning blade (56) moves away from the surface of the photosensitive member (30) and a specially improved operating mechanism for selectively positioning the blade holding mechanism against the elastic biasing action of the first spring means (70) at an operating position at which the cleaning blade (56) is pressed on the surface of the photosensitive member (30).