An image forming apparatus including a recording head having a nozzle surface on which multiple nozzles to eject droplets are arranged in a line; a suction device; and a cap to cover the nozzle surface of the recording head. The cap includes a suction hole to connect a space formed by the cap and the nozzle surface with the suction device; an air hole to connect the space with air; and an absorbent located inside the cap. The top surface of the absorbent is retracted from the contact portion of the cap to be contacted with the nozzle surface so that when the nozzle surface is capped with the cap, a flow passage is secured between the air hole to the suction hole without obstructed by the absorbent.