Abstract: Disclosed are methods for purifying solvents, by causing contaminants to be included within layers of dispersed layered materials, and then separating the restacked combined contaminant/layered material from the solvent. The methods may be utilized to remove materials suspended in the solvents, materials immiscible with the solvents, and are especially useful for separating soluble materials from the solvents within which they are dissolved. The application of these methods will be beneficial in the remediation of polluted soil and water, the desalination of water, waste oil and gray water purification, the preparation of pharmaceuticals, and many other areas.