The invention relates to a method for operating a floor cleaning
system having a central suction
station with which there is associated a self-propelled and self-steering suction appliance,
dirt being picked up from a floor surface that is to be cleaned by means of the suction appliance and being transferred into a
dirt collection vessel of the suction appliance, and the suction
station having a suction unit, and the
dirt collection vessel being sucked out by means of the suction unit. To refine the method in such a manner that the levels of
noise produced by the floor cleaning
system can be reduced, it is proposed, according to the invention, that the suction unit is optionally operated with a maximum suction power or a reduced suction power. The invention also proposes a floor cleaning
system for carrying out the method.