Most of it gets sucked out the drains but the residue can be left inside your washer leading to unpleasant smells and taking a general toll on your washer's ability. So, clean it every 6 months.

Cleaning your washer is pretty simple. It takes our good ol' friend white vinegar, baking soda, and a microfiber cloth.

Basic Steps

1. Before cleaning the washer drum, clean the gasket by spraying it with white vinegar and wiping with a damp microfiber cloth. The rubber gasket at the front of the washer, especially in a high-efficiency (HE) washer, accumulates water, hair, scum, and mildew.
2. Set the washer to the highest level and the hottest water temperature.
3. Add two cups of white cleaning vinegar to the detergent dispenser.
4. Run it through a complete cycle.
5. Run another cycle on the highest level and at the hottest water temperature, this time adding one-half cup of baking soda to the drum.
6. When the cycle is done, wipe inside the drum of the washer with a damp microfiber cloth.
7. While you’re at it, wipe down the front of the machine, too.