An apparatus for cleaning a bolt having a threaded portion with a longitudinal axis of rotation. The apparatus includes a bolt receiving portion and a cleaning member. The bolt receiving portion has a throughway configured to receive the threaded portion of the bolt when the threaded portion is rotating about the longitudinal axis of rotation. The cleaning member is coupled to the bolt receiving portion and has a plurality of cleaning projections positioned to contact and clean the threaded portion of the bolt as the rotating threaded portion of the bolt passes through the throughway. The projections may be bristles or pins. Optionally, the bolt receiving portion may include a plurality of throughways each configured to receive a threaded portion having a different outer diameter. Optionally, the apparatus may include a handle portion that may be selectively couplable to the bolt receiving portion.