<p>A method for cleaning the surface (ejection surface) of an ink jet head provided with an ink ejection opening by supplying a head liquid to the ejection surface and performing wiping operation. In the method, ink residue on the ejection surface is removed efficiently and surely, thus sufficient cleaning is performed. Application and stirring/mixing of the head liquid are carried out efficiently by performing first wiping operation such that the body portion of a wiper (9A) slides on the ejection surface while bending the wiper significantly. Mixture of the head liquid and the ink residue is then scraped efficiently by performing second wiping operation such that an edge portion at the forward end of a wiper (9B) slides on that surface.</p>
