A device (1) for the mechanical cleaning of wire rods (20) for the production of drawn metallic wires comprises a pair of elements (8) supported by a shaft (6), each element (8) comprising a truncated-conical body (3) and a flat disk (2) that closes the truncated-conical body (3), defining an internal annular space (40) that contains the steel wool (4); the flat disk (2) being provided with openings (18) that are shaped a slot; the two elements (8) being disposed one in front of the other, with a space (19) between the two flat disks (2); wherein, during the operation, by means of a rapid rotation of the shaft (6), the steel wool (4) expands under the effect of a centrifugal force (9) in radial direction, thus creating an axial thrust component (10) on the steel wool (4) in such a way that the steel wool escapes partially and elastically from the openings (18) of the flat disks so that the steel wool (4) brushes against the surface of the wire rod (20) in transit in the space (19) between the two elements (8).