Abstract: A method and apparatus for cleaning ink jet capillaries by positioning the ink jet to be cleaned in the near field stream of an opposing ink jet a providing pressurized solvent stream to precisely irrigate the ink jet to be cleaned. According to the present invention, the ink jet to be cleaned is also provided with a pressurized cleaning fluid supply, wherein both ink jets receive the corresponding pressurized solvents in selected cycles as determined by the state of the obstructing occlusion in the ink jet to be cleaned and the operator. The apparatus and method permits effective cleaning of the fine capillary ink jet openings without any applying any solid or rigid probe element to the ink jet and without submerging or surrounding the ink jet in a structure, thus providing effective cleaning while reducing or eliminating mechanical damage to the ink jet to be cleaned.