As the cleaning machine travels along the lane from the foul line toward the pin deck area, cleaning liquid is sprayed onto the lane surface in periodic discharges of relatively short duration. A soft, thin web of cloth material immediately behind the spray nozzles is looped under a transverse cushion or backup member and is pressed against the wetted lane surface to spread and meter out the liquid into a thin film that passes beneath the cushion as a bead or shallow pool of the liquid is pushed along ahead of the cushion. The film is subsequently lifted entirely off the lane surface to remove all traces of moisture, oil, and grime by a combination squeegee and vacuum head assembly immediately behind the spreading web assembly. Programmable controls on the machine permit the cleaning functions to be carried out in relation to the position of the machine on the lane.