An elongate cleaning element holder for holding a cleaning element to be used for cleaning an object to be cleaned comprising: a grip part (150, 151) to be held by user's hand, and a plurality of holding parts which extend from the grip part (150, 151) in a longitudinal direction of the cleaning element holder and hold the cleaning element, wherein: each holding part has deflection displacement characteristics at least in a first direction along a thickness of the holding part and transverse to an extending direction of the holding part and a second direction along a width of the holding part and transverse to the first direction, the holding parts being disposed side by side in the second direction, and an insert space for the object to be cleaned is provided between the holding parts disposed side by side; characterized in that: when a load of 2.5 N is applied in the first direction to an end of the holding part in the extending direction, the holding part deflects 15 to 80 degrees in the first direction, and when a load of 2.5 N is applied in the second direction to the end of the holding part, the holding part deflects 25 to 55 degrees in the second direction; and a distance between the holding parts disposed side by side is constant in the extending direction of the holding part and the width of each of the holding parts along the second direction increases toward the end from a connection between the holding part and the grip part (150, 151). each holding part has deflection displacement characteristics at least in a first direction along a thickness of the holding part and transverse to an extending direction of the holding part and a second direction along a width of the holding part and transverse to the first direction, the holding parts being disposed side by side in the second direction, and an insert space for the object to be cleaned is provided between the holding parts disposed side by side; characterized in that: when a load of 2.5 N is applied in the first direction to an end of the holding part in the extending direction, the holding part deflects 15 to 80 degrees in the first direction, and when a load of 2.5 N is applied in the second direction to the end of the holding part, the holding part deflects 25 to 55 degrees in the second direction; and a distance between the holding parts disposed side by side is constant in the extending direction of the holding part and the width of each of the holding parts along the second direction increases toward the end from a connection between the holding part and the grip part (150, 151). when a load of 2.5 N is applied in the first direction to an end of the holding part in the extending direction, the holding part deflects 15 to 80 degrees in the first direction, and when a load of 2.5 N is applied in the second direction to the end of the holding part, the holding part deflects 25 to 55 degrees in the second direction; and a distance between the holding parts disposed side by side is constant in the extending direction of the holding part and the width of each of the holding parts along the second direction increases toward the end from a connection between the holding part and the grip part (150, 151).