Discourage a fellow from becoming cleaner (9)
I believe the answer is:
detergent
'becoming cleaner' is the definition.
'detergent' can be an answer for 'cleaner' (chemical that cleans). I am not certain of the 'becoming' bit.
'discourage a fellow' is the wordplay.
'discourage' becomes 'deter' (synonyms).
'a fellow' becomes 'gent' (synonyms).
'deter'+'gent'='DETERGENT'
'from' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for detergent that I've seen before include "cleaner" , "Cleaning product" , "Soluble cleansing agent" , "Cleansing substance used for washing clothes" , "Synthetic cleaning substance for washing machines" .)