Washes work hard, top to bottom (5)

I believe the answer is:

laves

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'washes' is the definition.
(I know this)

'work hard top to bottom' is the wordplay.
'work hard' becomes 'slave' (I've seen this in another clue).
'top' means to remove the first letter.
'to bottom' becomes 's' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should believe this answer much more).
'slave' with its initial letter taken away is 'lave'.
'lave'+'s'='LAVES'

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I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.

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