Abstract: A method for operating a cleaning device includes selecting a cleaning activity to be performed by the cleaning device via a communications interface of the cleaning device or of an external terminal, implementing at least one device setting or application of the cleaning device for performing the cleaning activity, and performing the cleaning activity with the implemented device setting and/or device application. An instruction for steps to be chronologically implemented by the user, which contain a device setting and/or device application, is transmitted to the user as a function of the selected cleaning activity. A control and evaluation unit monitors the actual implementation of the device setting and/or device application corresponding to the step to be currently implemented, and transmits a note to the user when the device setting and/or device application actually implemented deviates from a predefined reference for the device setting and/or device application to be implemented.