In an ink jet printer, an arrangement is provided for cleaning the face of the printhead in which the ink ejecting orifices are located. The arrangement includes a suction chamber directed towards, but spaced apart from, the printhead face to draw air over the printhead face and thereby remove any contamination such as ink residue and paper fibers. Advantageously, the suction chamber is formed in the cap member that is conventionally provided to engage the printhead and cap the ink ejecting orifices when the printhead is not in use. In that case, suction may also be applied to the cap member when it is in engagement with the printhead, to prime the printhead and/or to clear the ink ejecting orifices. Suction may then be maintained while the cap member is moved away from the printhead, so that air will be drawn over the printhead face.