An ink jet recording apparatus includes a recording head including a liquid passage having an ejection energy generating element for generating energy for ejecting ink, an ejection outlet defining member having an ejection outlet communicating with the liquid passage, the ejecting outlet defining member having a surface from which the ink is ejected through the ejection outlet, and a member covering at least a part of the surface away from the ejection outlet; a wiping member for contacting the surface to wipe it; a driver for imparting relative movement between the surface and the wiping member to wipe the surface; and a controller for providing a relatively low speed of the relative movement at least when the surface being wiped by the wiping member.