Laser cleaning has the characteristics of being green, environmentally friendly, and efficient, gradually replacing traditional cleaning techniques and becoming the most promising cleaning technology of the 21st century. This study reviews developmental history of laser cleaning technology; analyzes the current main research directions in laser cleaning technology, including mechanism, process, impact on material properties, and the status of online monitoring technology; compares the characteristics of different laser cleaning equipments; and delineates the typical applications of laser cleaning across industrial sectors such as aerospace, automotive, power generation, cultural heritage preservation, metal surface treatment, semiconductor manufacturing, and optics. Moreover, it highlights future challenges confronting laser cleaning technology and concludes with a discussion on strategies to enhance competitiveness and market share of laser cleaning technology in China. It provides readers with professional references.