Abstract: A wire rope cleaning tool adapted to be used against a bumper or stop which comprises a U-shaped guide for the rope to be cleaned. The tool includes a plurality of pie-shaped segments bolted between two washer-shaped apertured plates with one scraping bit mounted between each pair of segments. The scraping bit consists of hardened plastic formed with an arcuate scraping surface to fit into the helical creases of the rope. The top of the scraping bit has a recess in which a circular tension spring is held. The circular tension spring urges the scraping bits into engagement with the rope. It is preferred to place the cleaning tool in position around the rope next to the bumper which is fixed to an appropriate support close to the sheave wheel near the hoist drum which guides the rope attached to a car or elevator going down the mine shaft. In this position the cleaning tool rotates and removes dirt and grease while the rope is pulled down the track of the car or of the elevator.