Cleaner doesn't have gent to put off (5)
I believe the answer is:
deter
'to put off' is the definition.
(both can mean to discourage)
'cleaner doesn't have gent' is the wordplay.
'cleaner' becomes 'detergent' (chemical that cleans).
'doesn't have' indicates named letters should be taken away.
'detergent' with 'gent' taken away is 'DETER'.
(Other definitions for deter that I've seen before include "Discourage through fear of consequences" , "'Discourage, dissuade (5)'" , "Hinder, discourage" , "Frighten off; prevent" , "Try to prevent" .)