Cleaning apparatus for cleaning debris from orifices in an ink jet print head orifice plate includes a structure defining a cleaning cavity for receiving cleaning liquid; a roller partially submerged in the cleaning liquid. The roller is rotated so that cleaning liquid coats the roller and is carried by surface tension around the roller; and relative movement is provided between the orifice plate and the structure so that the orifice plate is positioned adjacent to the cleaning cavity with the rotating roller spaced a distance from the orifice plate so that there is turbulence of the cleaning liquid and such turbulence causes the cleaning fluid to engage the orifice plate and remove debris from the orifice plate and orifice nozzles.