Ink-jet recording apparatus

An ink-jet recording apparatus comprising:

• a recording head having a plurality of nozzles through which an ink composition containing an inorganic pigment is ejected, a nozzle surface having nozzle orifices, and a liquid-repellent film disposed on the nozzle surface;
• an absorbing member that absorbs the ink composition from the nozzle orifices and the nozzle surface;
• and
• an actuating mechanism including a pressing member that presses the absorbing member and the nozzle surface relative to each other with a force of 50 to 500 gf,
• wherein
• the actuating mechanism moves at least one of the absorbing member and the recording head relative to the other to perform a cleaning operation in which the ink composition is removed from the nozzle surface with the absorbing member,
• the absorbing member contains an impregnation liquid during the cleaning operation,
• the nozzle surface has a first row of nozzles through which the ink composition containing the inorganic pigment is ejected and a second row of nozzles through which an ink composition containing a colorant other than the inorganic pigment is ejected, and
• the actuating mechanism moves the absorbing member and the recording head relative to each other in a direction in which the nozzles are arranged.