The term "washing money" typically refers to a process of money laundering rather than the literal act of cleaning physical currency in a washing machine.
Money laundering is the process of making illicitly obtained money (often from criminal activities) appear legitimate, or "clean," by passing it through a complex sequence of financial transactions. Criminals engage in money laundering to disguise the illegal origins of their funds, making it difficult for authorities to trace the money back to its illegal source.
There are various methods used for money laundering, and one of them involves the use of businesses, like laundromats or cash-intensive businesses, as a front to mix illegal funds with legitimate cash flow. This is where the term "washing money" comes from, as the illegal funds are metaphorically "washed" or integrated with clean money, making it harder for law enforcement to identify the illegal origins.
It's essential to note that money laundering is illegal and a serious offense in most countries. Governments and law enforcement agencies have stringent measures in place to detect and prevent money laundering activities and prosecute those involved in such illegal practices.