A commercial exfoliated graphite was used for checking its sorption capabilities for removing engine oil and dyes from wastewater. Slight oxidation of exfoliated graphite in the air at 400degreesC was found to be effective to improve adsorption capacity for dyes, methylene blue and methyl orange. However, its treatment in HNO3 reduced all capacities for engine oil and dyes. A possibility for simultaneous removal of oil and dyes dispersed in wasted water was revealed. (C) 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.