An apparatus for use in an ink jet recording device or printer for cleaning a writing head having at least one orifice therein through which ink flows is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a manifold movable in a horizontal direction and including an internal reservoir and a brush formed of a plurality of fiber elements extending from the reservoir through the manifold, the fiber elements being urged into contact with the writing head upon sufficient movement of the manifold; a vacuum system communicating in fluid flow with the reservoir for forming a negative air pressure along the fibers; and an ink collecting chamber for containing discharged ink from the writing head, the chamber communicating in fluid flow with both the manifold and the vacuum system, whereby upon the fibers being urged into contact with the writing head the vacuum system causes ink to flow from the writing head along the fibers and into the collecting chamber.