Abstract: Apparatus and method for the rapid cleaning of the central drum of flexographic printing machines includes a cleaning device with presser, cloth and fluid. The presser brings the cloth into contact with the rotating drum. The presser undergoes a suitable oscillating movement parallel to the axis of the rotating drum. At the ends of the cleaning device, the shoulders of the base of the flexographic machine are equipped with any suitable opposed openings of the correct width through which the cleaning device can oscillate. The cleaning device periodically can be inserted or withdrawn axially through at least one of the openings to allow replacement of the cloth without the need to cut the substrate.