Abstract: A process by which salts are removed or recovered from an aqueous solution by means of a polyether, by contacting the aqueous solution with active carbon impregnated with a cyclic or linear polyether, and then eluting ether and salt successively from the carbon. The aqueous solution of salts may be passed through a column packed with the active carbon impregnated with a polyether. The polyether may be recovered from the carbon by elution with a nonpolar or slightly polar water-immiscible organic solvent, and the salt(s) may then be recovered by elution with water.