Cleaner: soft soap? (7)
I believe the answer is:
flannel
This clue might be a double definition.
'cleaner' is the first definition.
The definition and answer can be both man-made objects as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps you can see a link between them that I can't see?
'soft soap?' is the second definition.
(both can mean flattery)
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for flannel that I've seen before include "Talk evasively; cloth" , "short trousers" , "Cloth; evasive talk" , "hedge" , "it comes in handy for washing" .)