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