What does the cryptic crossword clue "With low profits invested in hawser that needn’t stay dirty (9)" mean?

The definition is "that needn't stay dirty". The wordplay uses a container (one word inside another). LEAN (synonym="with low profits") in CABLE (synonym="hawser = a large heavy rope") = CLEANABLE; definition: "that needn't stay dirty" The answer is CLEANABLE.

With low profits invested in hawser that needn’t stay dirty (9)

Independent Cryptic #11780 | 7 Down | 2024-07-12 flower

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