Crossword Genius

Flannel cost personnel silver (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

washrag

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'flannel' is the definition.
(I know that flannel can be written as washrag)

'cost personnel silver' is the wordplay.
'cost' becomes 'was' (I can't justify this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'personnel' becomes 'hr' (Human Resources).
'silver' becomes 'Ag' (Ag is the chemical symbol for silver).
'was'+'hr'+'ag'='WASHRAG'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Another definition for washrag that I've seen is " American means to clean mug".)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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