The invention relates to an operation panel and a washing machine. The operation panel is arranged on the external surface of electrical equipment body. The operation panel comprises a panel body, which is provided with a display part and an operation part; and a light source, which is arranged on the back side of the panel body and can be used to project the display part and/or operation part by being lighted; and is characterized in that the panel body comprises a decoration plate, which is arranged on the front surface; a support part, which is made of an opaque material; and an installation part, which is used to install the decoration plate to the body of the electrical equipment; wherein the decoration is prepared by the following steps: at least the back side of a transparent part is provided with a light shielding layer, and forming a discolored transparent part for display on the light shielding layer.