Abstract: The invention relates to an operating device for controlling, in particular for activating and deactivating, a cleaning device and/or an energy supply device of a cleaning appliance that can be carried on the back, which operating device includes a control signal generating device for producing control signals for controlling the cleaning device and/or the energy supply device and a signal transmission device for transmitting the control signals, wherein the control signal generating device includes at least one first switch member for activating and deactivating the cleaning device, wherein the operating device includes at least one second switch member for activating and deactivating at least one mode of operation of the cleaning device and wherein the at least one first switch member and the at least one second switch member are constructed in a haptically distinguishable manner.