A cleaning unit for a sensor with a sensor housing and a drive shaft comprises a holding element which extends along an axis and is suitable for being mounted on the drive shaft so that the cleaning unit can be moved by the drive shaft and a wiper element which is fastened to the holding element and has a ring which axially surrounds the holding element, so that the ring is in contact with the sensor housing of the sensor when the holding element is mounted on the drive shaft, wherein the ring has at least one tooth which extends radially to the axis.