a method and apparatus for automatically cleaning the surface of a roller , such as a laminating roller , is disclosed herein . the method consists of rotating the roller at a predetermined fixed speed about its axis and simultaneously moving a nozzle which produces a small stream of steam along the axis of the roller at a fixed speed so that the stream of steam impinges the entire surface of the roller . the apparatus consists of a support for rotatably supporting a roller and supporting a nozzle for reciprocation with respect to the axis of the roller with either common or separate drive means for rotating the roller and reciprocating the nozzle .