Cleaning down (8)

I believe the answer is:

preening

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'cleaning' is the definition.
(preening is a kind of cleaning)

I can't explain the remainder of the clue.

(Other definitions for preening that I've seen before include "Cleaning one's feathers in attempts to look attractive" , "Arranging feathers or taking pride in oneself" , "Grooming, in a vain way" , "Cleaning and arranging 10" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail.

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