The invention discloses a starting method and device of a washing machine. The method comprises the steps of obtaining a signal of a cabin door of the washing machine from opening to closing; determining whether or not clothing is in a cylinder of the washing machine; in the condition that the clothing is in the cylinder of the washing machine, waiting for a predetermined time period; judging whether or not the cabin door is opened within the predetermined time period; if the cabin door is not opened within the predetermined time period, starting the washing machine to perform a washing procedure. The starting method and device solve the technical problems in the relevant art that the washing of a large amount of clothing needs an operator to operate for many times, the cloth washing is time-consuming, and therefore the washing efficiency is reduced.