A liquid ejecting apparatus includes a liquid ejecting portion that ejects a liquid, a belt-shaped member absorbs the liquid, a feeding portion that retains the belt-shaped member in a rolled state, a pressing portion presses a contact portion of a portion of the belt-shaped member wound off from the feeding portion and bring the contact portion into contact with the liquid ejecting portion, the contact portion being located in a contact area, a winding portion moves the contact portion in a moving direction by winding up the belt-shaped member, and a control portion that, when it is assumed that a contact length is a length of the contact portion along the direction of movement, causes the winding portion to wind up the belt-shaped member corresponding to a length longer than the contact length after bringing the contact portion into contact with the liquid ejecting portion.