A system for cleaning filter cartridges having a cylindrically configured filter media. The cleaning system includes a tank for containing a cleaning liquid, and an open-sided cage for removably receiving and containing one of the filter cartridges to be cleaned. The cage is supported on a drive shaft of a motorized drive that is positionable for disposing the open-sided cage and filter cartridge contained therein in cleaning liquid in the tank and is selectively operable for rotating the open-sided cage and filter cartridge contained therein during a cleaning cycle for cleaning the filter media of the contained filter cartridge.