The invention is an escalator handrail cleaning apparatus for a running handrail (1) on a guide rail (11) along an escalator (12), wherein the cleaning apparatus comprises: —a main body (3) with a preferably underlying, generally through channel (31) for the handrail (1) to pass through, —a steam supply hose (2) to a longitudinally running inlet channel (21) in the main body (3) and connected to one or more across distribution channels (5) in the main body (3), —a number of steam nozzles (6) from the distribution channel (5) directed towards the through passing handrail (1), —at least a first and a second squeegee gasket (7) for delimiting a space (38) in the through channel (31) between the main body (3), the through running handrail (1), and the surroundings and arranged for wiping off water and dirt from the through running handrail (1), —at least one drain channel (41) from the space (38) wherein the drain channel (41) conducts water, steam and dirt to a return hose (4), preferably by vacuum. The running handrail will, by means of the cleaning apparatus, be steam cleaned so as for bacteria to be killed off and dirt dissolved and removed.