Abstract: A process for regenerating spent clay which includes: (1) an extraction stage wherein an organic solvent or mixture of organic solvents are thoroughly mixed with the spent clay thus separating the entrained oil from the spent clay, (2) a reactivation stage wherein the oil-free spent clay is treated with acid, and (3) a thermal polishing step wherein the acid-treated, solvent-extracted spent clay is heated at a high temperature from about 500 degrees F to about 1400 degrees F for approximately one minute to five hours, preferably 10 minutes to 4 hours.