A vacuum device for a paper web making apparatus has a housing having an outer web-facing surface and a vacuum channel extending within the housing and having an opening at the web-facing surface. A vacuum source is in fluid communication with the vacuum channel and is operable to draw a vacuum on the paper web via the vacuum channel opening. A fluid delivery system is operable to deliver cleaning fluid into the vacuum channel wherein the vacuum source is operable during the delivery of cleaning fluid into the vacuum channel. In another embodiment, the fluid delivery system is operable to deliver cleaning fluid into the vacuum channel in a fluid delivery direction that is at least partially different from the direction of flow of the vacuum within the vacuum channel.