A stitch forming element for a stitch-forming textile machine, wherein the textile machine includes a stitch-forming element carrier with at least one guide channel for guiding at least one stitch-forming element. The stitch-forming element includes a longitudinal axis and a vertical axis and a first recess with a lower edge, an upper edge, an open first end and a closed second end for stitch formation. The stitch-forming element further includes a second recess with a lower edge, an upper edge, an open first end and a closed second end for cleaning the at least one guide channel. The stitch-forming textile machine includes a stitch-forming element carrier with at least one guide channel, and at least one such stitching element. The least one stitch-forming element with its second recess is guided in the at least one guide channel.