Method for preventing accidental washing of electronic devices in a washing machine appliance

A washing machine appliance, comprising:

• a cabinet;
• a door to selectively open and close the cabinet;
• a tub provided within the cabinet, the tub configured to hold wash fluid;
• a wash basket rotatably mounted within the tub and configured to hold items for washing;
• a wireless communication module provided within the cabinet and configured to send and receive wireless signals;
• and
• a controller in operative communication with the wireless communication module, wherein the controller is configured to perform a series of operations, the series of operations comprising:
• receiving an initiation signal for a laundry operation to be performed by the washing machine appliance;
• sending a wake-up signal to a mobile electronic device via the wireless communication module in response to receiving the initiation signal;
• emitting a laundry operation trigger prior to initiating the laundry operation;
• determining that the mobile electronic device is within a predetermined distance from the washing machine appliance in response to generating the laundry operation trigger;
• receiving a cycle authorization signal;
• and
• initiating the laundry operation.