Discard any clams with cracked or broken shells
Discard any clams that are open and do not close when tapped
Rinse clams under cold running water
Scrub the shells with a stiff brush to remove dirt and grit
Soak clams in a bowl of cold salted water for 20 to 30 minutes
Lift clams out of the water and discard the sandy water
Repeat the soaking process with fresh cold salted water until no sand remains
Rinse clams again under cold running water
Remove any barnacles or debris from the shells with a knife or brush
Keep cleaned clams refrigerated until ready to cook