I have a Frigidaire Pride Smart Drive top loader washing machine and I would like to give the bowl and inside where the powder goes in, a jolly good clean. How do I go about this? I'm worried that the gunk will spoil my clothing.

This sounds like a similar fault I repaired on a Fisher Paykell top loader smart drive. It would fill up, start it's wash cycle (you'd hear the engine turn back and forth ) and a second later stop. It turned out that a position sensor on the motor had failed due to a small water leak. I'm unable to find the motor for your model of Frigidaire to see if there is a similar sensor or pick up module though.

Sounds like the washer transmission may be defective.

the use of liquid detergents is recommended over powders in washing machines as they do leave a mud build up over time in the bottom of the wash bowl
no they do have to be dissolved before use
spin speeds are set in the machine program and cannot be altered
spin time is set in the machine program and cannot be altered
use the recommended detergents for the machine because if you use top loader detergent in a front loader it will froth up excessively and cause problems for a front loader machine
the suitability of use for the detergent ( powder or liquid) is clearly marked on the labelling on the bottle or packet

Simply place detergent into wash ball and place inside drum on top of clothes,,,,fabric softener goes in smallest compartment in tray

Agitator can be removed easy,Take out the fabric dispenser cup,
Reach down inside the agitator & undo the wing nut, left to undo.
Take out agitator & clean & the bottom of the bowl,
For a more better clean fill machine with hot to high water level & leave soak over night,Do heavy duty wash in the morning to remove scrud.

Fisher & Paykel machines don't have a lint filter.
Manual cleaning of agitator and s/steel bowl will make your washing cleaner.

the inner bowl has whats called a balance ring which means the top layer ring around bowl has water inside to keep washer balanced...this is perfectly normal

Bacteriological action is becoming more of a problem nowadays due to low temperature washing , the deteregents , wash your clothes well but do not kill off bacteria , this is generally harmless to us but can build up in your machine , giving rise to a smell and sometimes a slime which can get on your washing. A regime of High temperature washes WITH NO CLOTHES IN MACHINE , just a dose of bio-powder every six to eight weeks , may help.

I use 2 Tablespoons of Liquid Detergent and a 1/2 to 3/4 scoop of Oxyclean and I have had good results in my Front Loader. Clothes come out very clean and there is no residue on the inside of my washer.