a wash, awash

A wash or a wash ( two words ) means one ( a ) cleaning with soap and water ( wash ) --
It's in pretty good shape; it could use a wash, though.
Where have you been? You need a wash!

A wash ( two words ) may also mean one ( a ) dry creek bed, or a creek bed when it is dry ( wash ) --
Go straight down the hill until you come to a wash, then turn right.
He found a gold nugget in a wash near here.

A wash ( two words ) may also mean one ( a ) sandbar that is exposed only at low tide ( wash ) --
There's a wash here at low tide; it's good for shell collecting.
When the tide goes out you'll see a wash right here.

A wash ( two words ) may also mean one ( a ) trail left by a boat or plane ( wash ) --
The birds look for fish where they see a wash.
Is that a cloud or a wash?

A wash ( two words ) may also mean one ( a ) result or an outcome that is unsatisfactory to both sides ( wash ) --
It's a wash; we'll have to start over.
They agreed to call it a wash, with no repercussions.

Awash or awash ( one word ) means flooded or swamped, literally or figuratively --
The deck was awash; we had to hang on to keep from going overboard.
The city is awash with newscasters; the convention is this week.

Now that you know that, you can say--
"The road was awash in muddy water; we all need a wash."