An apparatus (1) for managing cleaning activities, comprising at least one tank (2) for a substance, preferably selected from a component of a detergent and a detergent ready for use; the tank (2) is associated with a control and monitoring unit (3) for means for drawing and distributing the substance, to allow its controlled dispensing in at least one container (A), following the request of at least one operator. The control and monitoring unit (3) is further provided with a reader (5) for the automatic acquisition and processing of at least one first data set and at least one second data set: the first set is contained in a first transponder device that can be carried by a specific operator and conveys information regarding the specific operator, so as to store it in the control and monitoring unit (3). The second set is contained in a second transponder device, which is fixed to a specific container (A) and conveys information related to it, for the automatic recognition of the type of container (A) and the controlled dispensing of a predefined quantity of substance, associated with the specific type of container (A).