A machine and method are provided for washing a tote or other container having a bottom wall, and first and second opposed side walls that are connected by first and second opposed end walls to define an access opening. The machine and method involve utilizing an automated washing machine having a housing that includes a wash zone for spraying wash liquid onto the container, a downstream rinse zone for spraying rinsing liquid onto the tote and a downstream drying zone for directing air flow onto the container to promote drying of the container and a conveyor mechanism for moving the container through the housing. The container is placed in an inverted position on the conveyor mechanism with the bottom wall facing upward and the access opening facing downward, and the conveyor mechanism moves the container through the zones for cleaning.