The invention relates to a device for cleaning surfaces, wherein the device is or can be mounted on top of and/or on a mobile platform that can be moved in a working direction, for example a carrier vehicle and, together with the mobile platform, is designed for autonomous operation, wherein the device comprises the following elements, arranged one after another in the working direction: a heating element (B) for heating up the surface to be cleaned, wherein the heating element (B) comprises a flat steam matrix which, in operation, applies steam to the surface to be cleaned; an element (C) for the mechanical processing of the surface to be cleaned, which comprises at least one such partial element (1 1) which permits the removal of the loosened or detached contaminants on the surface to be cleaned by means of rotation and ground pressure, wherein the rotation is carried out about an axis arranged horizontally and transversely with respect to the working direction; an element (D) for sucking up the contaminants and the water produced by condensation of the steam from the cleaned surface.