Abstract: The present invention relates to a cleaning apparatus (100) for metal smallware, comprising: a washing chamber (1) apt to receive a solvent and at least one batch of metal smallware soiled with lubricant and configured to carry out a washing cycle to remove at least part of said lubricant from said batch of metal smallware soiled with lubricant by means of said solvent and; suction means (2) connected to said washing chamber (1) and configured to carry out a discharge cycle by sucking said gaseous mixture comprising air and solvent from said washing chamber (1); a main absorption column (4) having a first side (41) and a second side (42) opposite each other, and wherein said first side (41) is hydraulically connected to said suction means (2) so as to receive said gaseous mixture comprising air and solvent and said second side (42) is hydraulically connected to a supply duct (3) so as to receive an absorption liquid from the latter.