Method and apparatus for operating a domestic appliance and home appliance

The invention relates to a method for operating a household appliance (100) comprising at least one sensor (102, 118) for detecting a user (108) of the household appliance (100). In this case, first a by the sensor (102, 118) evaluate detected motion of the user (108). Is in this case the movement detected as a in a predetermined first detection area (104) approaching movement relative to the household appliance (100) is detected, a switch is provided to enable the household appliance (100) in an operational state. If the movement is, however, recognized as a in a predetermined second detection area (106) approaching movement relative to the household appliance (100) is detected, an activation signal for activating a user motion detection function of the household appliance (100) is output using the switch-on signal.