PURPOSE: To allow a user to collectly grasp the exchanging time of a cleaning tape, by providing a function for automatically counting/displaying the used number of times of the cleaning tape, thereby saving labor to write the using number of times manually and eliminating missing of writing or erroneous writing.

CONSTITUTION: When a head and tape running system of a cartridge-type magnetic tape apparatus is to be cleaned with the use of a cleaning tape, a switch 3 set in a reader block 1 of the cleaning tape is turned ON by a pin of an arm of a loading mechanism, thereby to drive a counter 2. The using number of times of the cleaning tape is displayed by a counter display. Accordingly, the user's labor to write the using number of times manually is saved, and the exchanging time of the cleaning tape is correctly detected.