An efficacious process for removing excess surfactant and sodium halide from an organically-modified clay is described in this paper. Improved thermal stability of the organoclay is observed using both washing with ethanol or Soxhlet extraction with methanol. The selection of the solvent to be used plays a vital role in removing the excess organic modifier from the organoclay. Approximately a 60 degrees C increment in onset thermal stability (T-5%) is observed by solvent washing while a further 20 degrees C improvement is seen using Soxhlet extraction. Washing with hot deionized water followed by an ethanol washing will remove the excess modifier more effectively than does hot DI water and THF.