Lubber doing a clean-up job (4)
I believe the answer is:
swab
'job' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both man-made objects as well as being singular nouns.
Maybe there's a link between them I don't understand?
I don't understand the remainder of the clue.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for swab that I've seen before include "Absorbent surgical pad" , "Cloth for cleaning wounds" , "Small pad for surgical use" , "Piece of fabric for medical use" , "Absorbent pad for cleansing or drying" .)