Laundry being cleaned was hot (4)

I believe the answer is:

wash

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'laundry' is the definition.
(synonyms)

'was hot' is the wordplay.
'hot' becomes 'h' (abbreviation eg on taps).
'was'+'h'='WASH'

'being cleaned' is the link.
I am not very happy about this link. Some or all of it may be part of another bit of the clue.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for wash that I've seen before include "Be credible" , "Cancelled event - utter failure" , "Brush with ink; launder" , "Clean with water" , "Flow over" .)

I've seen this clue in The Sun.

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