Clay-based membranes with submicron pore size were successfully prepared by a simple pressing process using low-cost starting materials(e.g., kaolin (K), bentonite (B), talc (T), and sodium borate). The green bodies were sintered at $1000^{circ}C$ for 2 h in air. The effect of clay-mineral composition on the flexural strength of clay-based membranes was investigated. The porosity of the clay-based membranes could be controlled within the range of 34 - 42% by adjusting the starting composition. The flexural strength of the low-cost membranes depended on both the porosity and the ${alpha}$-quartz content. In turn, the porosity and ${alpha}$-quartz content were affected by the (B+T) /(K+B+T) ratio. The plot of strength relative to this ratio, showed a maximum when the ratio was 0.4. The typical flexural strength of these clay-based membranes (with ratio 0.4) was 28 MPa at 34% porosity.