A supply unit for a cleaning machine which can be connected via at least one flexible hose, has a heating device for heating water, a water pump for conveying water into or out of the heating device, a hot water and/or steam connector which is connected to the outlet of the heating device, a dirty water tank, a suction device, which preferably includes a suction turbine, for sucking dirty water from a dirty water connector into the dirty water tank. In a preferred embodiment the unit has at least one, preferably precisely one central, drive unit for driving at least one, preferably a plurality of or all components to be driven of the supply unit and/or of a cleaning machine to be connected to it.