A water-saving washing machine and a control method are provided. The washing machine includes a washing drum and an outer drum (1), where a circulating pipeline is arranged between an outer drum drainage outlet (2) and an outer drum water inlet (3), a drainage pump (4) and a main filter (5) are arranged on the circulating pipeline, a pre-filter (6) is further arranged on the circulating pipeline, the pre-filter (6) is located between the drainage pump (4) and the main filter (5), and a compactness of a filter screen of the pre-filter (6) is lower than that of a filter screen of the main filter (5). Large-particle impurities are prevented from entering the main filter (5) to damage the main filter (5), a service life and a use effect of the main filter (5) can be improved. Water in a drum during washing and rinse processes is in a clean water state, and clothes are always washed in clean water, so that sense and psychology of a user are improved. Filters are washed to prevent the filters from being blocked, thereby prolonging a service life of the filters, preventing filtering effect deterioration or unavailability of the filters due to too many impurities, and reducing maintenance costs.