Abstract: A cleaning apparatus is disclosed for cleaning and removing contaminants from a forming wire of a paper machine. The apparatus includes a shower which is disposed adjacent to the wire for supplying a cleaning fluid onto one side of the forming wire. A leading blade is disposed downstream relative to the shower. The leading blade contacts the wire on the one side of the wire and extends in a cross-machine direction across the wire. A trailing blade is disposed downstream relative to the leading blade. The arrangement being such that the leading blade and the trailing blade defined therebetween a cross-machine directional slot. The slot is connected to a source of pressurized air so that the pressurized air flows through the slot and through the wire for removing the cleaning fluid and the contaminants from the wire. Furthermore, the trailing blade and the wire define therebetween a wedge shaped gap which converges in a direction from the slot and away from the leading blade.