maintenance hot wash for your washing machine

[nuttybananas]

have read about making sure you do your highest setting wash every so often to maintain the washing machine.

I've got a couple of quick questions:

1. Is the idea that the machine is empty or can you bung some actual laundry in with it e.g. some towels - if yes full load/half load/doesn't matter?

1. Should it be a wash without detergent?

thanks

Stupid question, but where does the vinegar go? In the powder drawer?

I slung it in the powder drawer.