Abstract: A diesel particulate filter cleaning machine. The filter is filed with a soaking solution comprising water and a surfactant and retained within the filter during a soaking interval. The filter is placed in a rinsing station after the soaking interval. A rinse water head positioned above an upper surface of the filter supplies rinse water into the filter, the rinse water passes through and drains from the filter. During the rinsing process, an actuator moves the rinse water head relative to the upper surface of the filter. A drain receives the rinse water after draining from the filter.