Abstract: Ink remaining on an ink roller (R) for applying ink to a plate cylinder is softened by a solvent, and then a cleaning cloth (4) is moved intermittently or continuously in press-contact with the ink roller so that an oil absorptive layer of the cleaning cloth absorbs and hold the softened ink. The cleaning cloth which has absorbed the ink is sent to a cleaning cloth disposing section (8) to be cut off by a cutter (3), or to be taken up by a set length by a taking-up roll to be wasted together with the taking-up roll. The cleaning cloth at least comprises an oil absorptive layer and an oil impermeable layer, and has good softened ink absorptiveness and is free from the leakage of the absorbed ink. Especially the cleaning cloth having a non-flowback oil impermeable layer can perfectly hold the absorbed ink, and has good disposability.