A cleaning and/or washing unit that can be used in cleaning and/or washing machines, said cleaning and/or washing unit comprising a supporting structure defining one or more constraining point(s), and said constraining point(s) receiving a washing and/or cleaning brush for cleaning machines for cleaning areas such as floor surfaces and the like, wherein said washing and/or cleaning brush comprises - a main body that can be connected to said constraining point on said cleaning unit and said main body has the form of a solid of rotation of a cylindrical shape, whereas said constraining point(s) 12 of the cleaning and/or washing unit being constituted by a localized anchoring point at the central axis of symmetry of said solid of rotation; and wherein said washing and/or cleaning brush further comprises - an operative portion connected to the main body and apt for performing cleaning and/or washing procedures on an area to be cleaned; said area to be cleaned can be travelled over by the cleaning and/or washing unit; said operative portion comprising a multiplicity of active elements that project perpendicularly from the solid of rotation with respect to the central axis of symmetry and comprising a multiplicity of flexible thread-like and ribbon-like elements apt for impacting the area to be cleaned in a state of operation and/or corresponding to the movements of the brush with respect to the constraining point; and wherein said cleaning and/or washing brush further comprises a transmission which is - a power take-off means afforded directly and integrally in the main body and apt for transmitting mechanical power to the brush so as to set it moving with respect to the constraining point on the cleaning and/or washing unit, comprising a multiplicity of meshing teeth positioned about the perimeter of the main body and preferably positioned at an ordinate that is offset with respect to the central axis of symmetry, with respect to an ordinate in which the flexible thread-like and/or ribbon-like elements lie; wherein when the brush is being replaced the transmission is also replaced,; and wherein said cleaning and/or washing unit further comprises - a motor connected to at least one brush mounted in the supporting structure at a constraining point, the connection between the brush and motor being at least partially implemented by the power take-off means afforded on the main body of the brush; characterized in that there is also present a means for dispensing water and/or detergents and/or disinfectants apt for impacting the surface to be washed in a state of operation. - a main body that can be connected to said constraining point on said cleaning unit and said main body has the form of a solid of rotation of a cylindrical shape, whereas said constraining point(s) 12 of the cleaning and/or washing unit being constituted by a localized anchoring point at the central axis of symmetry of said solid of rotation; and - an operative portion connected to the main body and apt for performing cleaning and/or washing procedures on an area to be cleaned; said area to be cleaned can be travelled over by the cleaning and/or washing unit; said operative portion comprising a multiplicity of active elements that project perpendicularly from the solid of rotation with respect to the central axis of symmetry and comprising a multiplicity of flexible thread-like and ribbon-like elements apt for impacting the area to be cleaned in a state of operation and/or corresponding to the movements of the brush with respect to the constraining point; and - a power take-off means afforded directly and integrally in the main body and apt for transmitting mechanical power to the brush so as to set it moving with respect to the constraining point on the cleaning and/or washing unit, comprising a multiplicity of meshing teeth positioned about the perimeter of the main body and preferably positioned at an ordinate that is offset with respect to the central axis of symmetry, with respect to an ordinate in which the flexible thread-like and/or ribbon-like elements lie; - a motor connected to at least one brush mounted in the supporting structure at a constraining point, the connection between the brush and motor being at least partially implemented by the power take-off means afforded on the main body of the brush;