In order to solve the environmental protection problem caused by the waste of filter press mud cake in the construction of mud-water balance shield, a new method of using filter press mud cake to modulate mud to improve the sand layer and muck was proposed. From the three aspects of mud density control, stability control and viscosity control, the press mud cake preparation mud test was carried out to determine the appropriate mud content for the improved sand and muck from the perspective of fluidity and permeability. The results show that the density of the mud prepared by the filter press mud cake should be between 1.29 g/cm³ to 1.34 g/cm³. Mixed with 3% to 5% sodium bentonite of the mud mass, the mud has high stability and viscosity. Mixed with the residue modulated mud with a mass of 6% to 10% can achieve a similar effect to the use of pure bentonite to improve the muck, and the amount of mud is greatly reduced. Therefore, it is feasible to use the filter press mud cake to modulate the mud and apply it to the improvement of the sand layer and muck, which is a new idea of energy saving and environmental protection.