“And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless.”- Matthew 22:12
After salvation, your unclean cloth (filthy rag) is not to be done away with. It is your responsibility to clean it (with God’s word) and make it pure white (Revelation 7:13). The bible refers to it as your righteousness and it will always precede you (Isaiah 58:8).
We are clothed in our righteousness(es)
Righteousness simply means your clothing (Job 29:14) and its state—whether clean or soiled- is how we appears in spirit.
It determines who God sees you as
Your cloth defines you; it classifies you (Matthew 5:20). Classification in the bible is always about your robe (Matthew 6:29). The righteous are referred to as those that put on white robes (Revelation 4:4). This explains why Jesus at the end of days will refer to some as workers of iniquity despite what they think they have done in his name (Luke 13:27).
How to clean it
You do not strive to clean it; the best you can get is being spotless morally- this is good. However, you clean it by loving God- associating with God. This brings out the beauty and glory in your garment just like that of God (2 Corinthians 3:18).