PURPOSE: To provide a tool holder taper shank cleaning method and device that are to be performed by interposing and synchronizing the tool changing operation of an automatic tool changer.

CONSTITUTION: This tool holder taper shank cleaning method is so constituted that a cleaning holding cylinder 12 is set up in contact with the changing position of a tool storage magazine M, and this cleaning holding cylinder 12 cleans a taper shank part 9 after rotating it as moving itself back and forth in using movement of a changing arm as a driving source when the change of tools being installed in a spindle is performed with this changing arm A.