Tub dry in a washing machine is a special program that dries the drum , not your clothes, by removing leftover moisture from inside the tub to prevent mould, bad odours, and bacterial growth.

What is “tub dry” in a washing machine?

When you select tub dry , the machine runs a short cycle after washing is done to dry the inside of the drum. It usually works in one or both of these ways:

  • The tub spins intermittently at high speed to fling off remaining water from the inner walls.
  • The machine circulates air inside the drum (sometimes slightly warm, sometimes just room air) to evaporate moisture.

The goal is to leave the drum dryer and fresher so moisture doesn’t sit inside and cause smells or mould, especially in humid climates.

What tub dry is not

People often confuse tub dry with normal clothes drying, but they’re not the same.

  • It does not fully dry a load of laundry like a separate dryer or “tumble dry” setting would.
  • It is mainly for the machine’s hygiene, not for getting your clothes wardrobe‑ready. A few items may feel a bit less damp, but they usually still need air‑drying or a proper spin/tumble dry.

Think of it as a “self‑drying” feature for the washer tub rather than a true clothes dryer function.

Why and when should you use tub dry?

Using tub dry regularly can extend the life and freshness of your washer.

Main benefits

  • Helps prevent mould and mildew inside the drum.
  • Reduces bad odours that come from standing moisture.
  • Keeps the tub more hygienic between deep “tub clean” or “drum clean” cycles.

Best times to use it

  • After your last wash of the day, especially if the door will stay closed for hours.
  • In rainy or humid seasons when the inside of the washer takes longer to dry naturally.
  • After heavy or long wash cycles where the drum is very damp.

Some brands even recommend turning on tub dry after every wash to keep the drum in top condition.

How to use tub dry (general idea)

Exact steps differ by brand, but the flow is usually similar.

  1. Finish your normal wash and spin cycle.
  2. Remove your clothes from the drum. (Most manuals advise running tub dry without laundry inside.)
  1. Press the “Tub Dry”, “Air Dry”, or similar button on the control panel.
  1. Start the program; it typically runs for a few minutes up to around 30–60 minutes depending on model.
  1. When it finishes, leave the door/lid slightly open for extra ventilation if possible.

Some newer models can auto‑run tub dry after each wash if you enable that option in the settings.

Tub dry vs other drying-related terms

Here’s a quick view of how tub dry compares with other common terms you might see:

[3][5][1] [6][1] [7] [7] [8][10][2] [10][2] [1][6] [6][1]
Feature What it does Main purpose
Tub dry Spins/air-dries empty drum to remove internal moisture.Keep washer tub dry, clean, and odour‑free.
Spin dry / spin cycle High‑speed spinning with clothes inside to remove water by centrifugal force.Make clothes less wet before line or machine drying.
Tumble dry Rotating drum with heated or unheated air to dry clothes fully.Completely dry laundry (in a dryer or washer‑dryer combo).
Tub clean / drum clean Uses hot water and/or detergent/cleaner to wash inside of tub.Deep clean to remove detergent residue, mould, and buildup.

Mini “real life” example

Imagine it’s monsoon season and your washing machine sits in a damp corner. You finish washing, pull your clothes out, close the lid, and walk away. By the next day, the inside of the drum is still moist, and over weeks that moisture can cause a musty smell or even visible mould. If, instead, you remove the clothes and run tub dry after your last load, the drum gets a quick spin/air‑dry, so the interior is much drier and far less likely to smell or grow mould.

FAQ: common forum-style questions

“Does tub dry save electricity or waste it?”

  • It does use some extra power, but the cycle is usually short, and can save you from bigger issues like a smelly, mouldy tub or needing frequent deep cleans.

“Can I use tub dry with clothes inside to help dry them?”

  • Most guides suggest tub dry is designed for an empty tub and mainly for maintenance. If you want to remove more water from clothes, use a higher spin speed or a dryer/tumble dry setting instead.

“Is it the same as air dry?”

  • On some machines “tub dry” and “air dry” are separate, and on others they overlap. Both rely on air and spinning, but tub dry is specifically targeting the tub itself; check your user manual for how your model defines each mode.

TL;DR: In practical terms, if you’re wondering “what is tub dry in washing machine” and whether you should use it: it’s a maintenance feature that dries the washer’s drum, keeps it fresh, and is worth running regularly after washes, especially in humid conditions.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.