In a cleaning arrangement for a filter element disposed in a gas flow channel and including a plurality of filter pockets, a flow blocking element arranged adjacent the filter element at the downstream side thereof and having openings movable with the flow blocking element into alignment with the various filter pockets for controlling a back-flushing gas flow through the filter element, the blocking element is an elastic thin-walled structure provided with at least one opening of a shape corresponding in cross-section to the filter pocket openings and means are provided for generating in the area downstream of the blocking element a gas pressure for back-flushing the filter element pockets in succession as the blocking element with the at least one opening is moved across the filter element.