Wear gloves and work in a well-ventilated area
Rinse the chitlins under cold running water
Remove any visible debris, fat, or membrane
Turn each piece inside out if needed
Scrape off any remaining residue with a knife or your fingers
Soak in cold salted water or vinegar water for 20 to 30 minutes
Rinse thoroughly again under cold running water
Repeat soaking and rinsing until the water runs clear
Trim away any tough or discolored spots
Keep cleaned chitlins refrigerated until ready to cook