Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning a tape drive unit having a read and/or write head and a capstan is disclosed. The apparatus includes a housing, a drive mechanism, and a cleaner arm. The drive mechanism includes a drive wheel, a drive gear, an intermediate gear, and a cylindrical cam, all interconnected. The housing is arranged and configured to be received within the tape drive unit. The drive wheel is rotatably secured within the housing and engageable with the capstan of the unit for rotation about a substantially vertical axis. The cam is substantially cylindrical and is rotatably secured within the housing. The cleaner arm is pivotally secured within the housing about an axis generally parallel to the bottom wall of the housing. The cleaner arm includes a tab extending rearwardly that is engaged with the cam. The cleaner arm includes a cleaning element arranged and configured for engagement with the head of the tape drive unit and for vertical movement against the head for cleaning.