A system (14) for recovering a cleaning solution for use in a printing machine (10) comprises a drain tank (36) with a calming section (38) and a recovery section (42) being fluidically connected to the calming section (38) and being arranged above the calming section (38). The system (14) further comprises an inlet pipe (32) for feeding a used cleaning solution into the calming section (38) of the drain tank (36), wherein the used cleaning solution comprises a cleaning fluid and an ink. The recovery section (42) is separated from the calming section (38) by means of a filter element (40) which is adapted to at least partially retain the ink in the calming section (38) such that a recovered cleaning solution is collected in the recovery section (42). Further, a printing machine (10) is provided.