The invention discloses a self-cleaning method of a washing machine and the washing machine. The washing machine comprises a water tub and an inner cylinder located in the water tub. The method comprises the steps that 1, water is supplied to the water tub to reach a predetermined water level ML; 2, the inner cylinder is driven to enable the rotating speed to reach first predetermined speed v1, running is conducted for first predetermined time t1, the rotating speed of the inner cylinder is adjusted to second predetermined speed v2, and running is conducted for second predetermined time t2; 3, the second step is repeated predetermined frequencies or predetermined time; 4, the water in the water tub is drained. According to the self-cleaning method of the washing machine, a water flow which is high enough and has high turbulent intensity is formed between the inner cylinder and the water tub, the water flow is utilized for washing the wall surface of the inner cylinder and the wall surface of the water tub, dirt attached to the wall surface of the inner cylinder and the wall surface of the water tub can be effectively stripped, and the cylinder cleaning effect is achieved.