The mantle is cleaned by taking off the outer membrane of the mantle. It is a soft, retractable organ attached to both sections of the inside of a clam’s shell and is directly responsible for creating and growing the clam’s shell.

The mantle processes the calcium deposits that it has stored over weeks or months. The clam opens its shell and extends its mantle to the edges of both sides. The mantle releases the glue-like calcium compounds along the edges of the shell. The mantle extends to the underside of the shell and the exterior mantle is maintained.