As a Barnsley lass, I'm with Bainbo and Bernard - clout = cloth as in 'dish-clout' and 'never cast a clout till May's out'. So I reckon its cleaning/polishing ie with a cloth/clout of St Peter's shoes. Guess that makes your idea a 'load of old cobblers' then Georgie Porgie but ne'er mind lad I'll buy thee a pint next time I si thee even if its a flat headed Southern one!