In a magnetic head cleaner (4) for use in a magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus having a magnetic head (61) located in the neighborhood of the center of gravity of a head driving mechanism (62), an arm (41) which is retractably swung along the front face of the magnetic head (61) is provided with a holder (45) for enabling a cleaner head (48) to perform a contact/separate operation to/from the front face of the magnetic head (61), the holder (45) being operated so that the cleaner head (48) comes into contact with the front face of the magnetic head (61) when the arm (41) is located in front of the front face of the magnetic head (61), and being guided so as to be separated from the magnetic head (61) by guide means (7) provided to a frame (1) of the apparatus at the stage that the arm (41) is retracted from the front face of the magnetic head (61).