A dry cleaning apparatus, assembly and method provides for a dry flexographic plate cleaner apparatus that is configured as a unitary subassembly to be used within a printing press assembly. The cleaner apparatus and subassembly comprise a plurality of motorized drives such that, among other things, a cleaning roller can be moved towards and away from the rotating printing plate so as to achieve optimum spacing. This also allows the press operator to make adjustments to the cleaner apparatus and subassembly without having to stop the printing press assembly. The apparatus and subassembly is further removable from the printing press assembly as may be desired or required for service. Additionally, the apparatus, assembly and method of the present invention also provides for use of at least one controller for electronically controlling the apparatus in accordance with the method and implementing optimized cleaning capabilities and functionalities.