The invention provides an application method of a handheld hand strap cleaning device. The method comprises the following steps: (S1) operators hold a hand strap cleaning device by hands to transversely cover a limiting cover on a hand strap of an escalator; and four suckers in the limiting cover are absorbed on a steel plate below the escalator at the same time; (S2) a meter counting wheel belowthe limiting cover is rubbed with the hand strap, and can roll along with the hand strap; and a cleaning module in front of the limiting cover and a drying module behind the limiting cover can be automatically and tightly contacted with the automatic hand strap; (S3) a water valve is opened; and after water in a water storage tank flows into a hollow cavity of a support block, the cleaning modulecan clean the hand strap, and meanwhile, the drying module dries the cleaned hand strap; and (S4) dust of grooves on the two sides of the lower part of the hand strap is removed through a brush in thelimiting cover. The method can clean the hand strap in a handheld manner, and is convenient for operators to use.