This method for cleaning wires enables effective descaling and removal of smuts from wires, prevents yellowing after cleaning, and significantly reduces the amount of water discharged as a result of cleaning, said method including, in the stated order: (A) pickling a wire; (B) cleaning the wire with acidic pressurized water, the concentration of which is adjusted with water and collected pickle solution which has adhered to and been recovered by the wire after use in Step (A); and (C) cleaning the wire with water.