The method for the preparation of self-cleaning surfaces having protrusions and recesses, wherein the distance between said protrusions is in a range of from 0.1 to 200 .mu.m and the height of said protrusions is in a range of from 0.1 to 100 .mu.m is performed by applying a solution, dispersion or emulsion containing a hydrophobic material which forms a self-cleaning surface by self-organization when the solvent is evaporated, followed by drying, wherein the material applied can be removed with detergents.