Cleaning device, and image forming apparatus, process cartridge, and intermediate transfer unit each including the cleaning device

A cleaning device for cleaning a moving surface of a cleaning target, the cleaning device comprising:

• a laminate-structured blade member including multiple layers made of materials having different permanent set value;
• the multiple layers including an edge layer formed of a material higher in permanent set value than any other one of the materials of the multiple layers of the laminate-structured blade member,
• the edge layer including a distal-end edge portion corresponding to a leading end ridgeline portion and brought into contact with the surface of the cleaning target;
• a holding member to hold a proximal end of the laminate-structured blade member;
• and
• a plurality of slits formed on a surface of the edge layer over an area of the edge layer ranging from the proximal end of the blade member where the holding member holds the blade member toward the distal-end edge portion, the slits extending in a direction intersecting a moving direction of the surface of the cleaning target.