A cleaning apparatus for cleaning articles is proposed. The cleaning apparatus comprises a cleaning chamber for receiving the articles. The cleaning apparatus has at least one application device for applying at least one cleaning fluid to the articles in the cleaning chamber. The cleaning apparatus has at least one door for opening the cleaning chamber and for loading and unloading the cleaning chamber with articles. The door has at least one at least partially transparent handle. The cleaning apparatus has at least one illuminating device. The illuminating device is designed to illuminate the handle at least partially and illuminate the cleaning chamber and/or an inner side of the door in an opened state of the door.