Abstract: A tape cleaning device, particularly for cleaning magnetic tapes contained in cartridges, cassettes or analogous receptacles, includes a housing having a leading end insertable into a tape recording and playing unit which has a capstan drive, and a trailing end adapted to receive a receptacle which accommodates magnetic tape which is to be cleaned. A belt drive which is adapted to be driven by the capstan drive is provided in the housing and is operative for advancing successive portions of the magnetic tape accommodated in the receptacle towards and past a predetermined location on the housing. A portion of cleaning tape is supplied to the predetermined location for physical contact with the advancing magnetic tape for cleaning the latter. Successive portions of the cleaning tape are incrementally advanced towards the predetermined location.