The invention discloses a tray washing machine. The tray washing machine comprises a machine body. The machine body is of a box type structure. The tray washing machine further comprises a material conveying mechanism penetrating through the interior of the machine body, a feeding section, a water initial washing section, a cleaning section, a hot air blowing and spraying section, a hot air heating section, an ion air blowing and spraying section and a discharging section, wherein the feeding section, the water initial washing section, the cleaning section, the hot air blowing and spraying section, the hot air heating section, the ion air blowing and spraying section and the discharging section are sequentially distributed from front to back. The tray washing machine further comprises a tray clamping mechanism. The tray clamping mechanism comprises guide guard bars used for supporting trays. The guide guard bars are installed on the two sides of the portion above the conveying clamping position. The two ends of the guide guard bars are fixedly supported on the machine body. The invention further discloses a tray washing method. The tray washing method includes the following steps: tray arranging, water initial washing, cleaning, hot air blowing and spraying, cold air blowing and spraying, hot air heating, ion air blowing and spraying, discharging and inspecting. By means of the tray washing machine and method, the washing efficiency is improved, the washing effect is improved, the tray washing quality is guaranteed, the washing cost is reduced, the washed trays can be recycled, and energy is saved.