What is tub dry in washing machine?

Tub dry is a really useful feature that a lot of people don't know about! It's basically a drying cycle without heat - the washing machine spins the drum to air-dry your clothes using just motion and airflow.

Here's what happens during tub dry: - The drum rotates at different speeds to toss clothes around - Air circulates through the drum to evaporate moisture - No heating element is used, unlike regular drying cycles - It takes longer than heat drying but is gentler on clothes

When to use tub dry: - For delicate fabrics that can't handle heat (wool, silk, certain synthetics) - When you want to save energy (uses much less electricity) - To fluff up towels or bedding that have been stored - To prevent musty smells if you can't unload immediately

I use it all the time for my workout clothes and delicates - it prevents shrinkage and fabric damage that can happen with heat drying!

As someone who repairs washing machines, I can tell you tub dry is one of the most underutilized features! Here's the technical side:

How it works differently from regular dry: - Regular dry: Uses heating element → fast but hard on clothes - Tub dry: Uses only spinning and air circulation → slow but gentle

Benefits most people don't realize: - Energy savings - can use up to 80% less electricity than heat drying - Fabric protection - no heat means no risk of melting elastic or damaging synthetics - Wrinkle reduction - the tumbling action helps smooth out wrinkles - Odor prevention - keeps clothes moving so mildew doesn't form

Perfect for: - Sportswear with special coatings - Swimsuits and elastic-based clothing - Items you plan to iron anyway (gets them damp-dry) - When you're not in a rush and want to save money

Pro tip: Don't overload the machine during tub dry - clothes need space to tumble properly for it to work effectively!