A cleaning device provided on a rotary printing machine for cleaning the outer cylindrical surfaces of cylinders includes a pressing-on bar for pressing a cleaning cloth on a respective outer cylindrical surface, adjusting elements for engaging the pressing-on bar, and an elastic profile rail to guide and press a cleaning cloth onto an outer cylindrical surface over the entire cylinder width. The elastic profile rail receives a plurality of forces from spring elements. The elastic profile rail and the spring elements allow a uniform cleaning of the outer cylindrical surface despite the presence of uneven or rough portions of the outer cylindrical surface that might be encountered by the cleaning device during cleaning.