A washtub is a large, deep container used for washing clothes by hand. Before washing machines became common, people would fill these tubs with water and soap, then scrub their clothes against a ridged washboard or swish them around to get them clean. The tub had to be big enough to hold several gallons of water and sturdy enough to withstand all that scrubbing and wringing.

Washtubs were usually made of metal (like galvanized steel) or wood, with handles on the sides so you could carry them when they weren't full. On wash day, which was often Monday in American households, families would heat water on the stove, pour it into the washtub, and spend hours washing, rinsing, and wringing out their clothes.

Today, most people use washing machines, but washtubs still appear in rural areas, at campsites, or anywhere people need to wash things without electricity. You might also see old washtubs repurposed as planters in gardens or as props in historical demonstrations showing how people lived before modern conveniences.