The invention relates to a device for cleaning and/or disinfecting a handrail (1) made of two matching half shells (3) joined together, being substantially half hollow cylindrical containers for a liquid disinfectant, and comprising at least one dispensing element (11) for the disinfectant made of an absorbent material and coming into contact with the handrail (1) at least on the inner faces of said half shells. The dispensing element (11) is a component of a diffusion unit (20) positioned in the half shell (3), dispensing the disinfectant to the dispensing element (11) as needed. Optimal dampening of the material transferring the disinfectant to the handrail is thus ensured, wherein saturation of said material in case of non-use and drying out of said material in case of frequent use are avoided.
