Mesoporous poly(melamine-formaldehyde) (mPMF) is a versatile solid adsorbent owing to its mesoporous network structure and rich nitrogen-containing functional groups. Herein, a facile method was reported for the first time to make mPMF by polycondensation between melamine and formaldehyde in ethylene glycol at 170 degrees C for 48 h. The resulting mPMF possesses high nitrogen content (50.28%), a mesoporous fibrous framework, a uniform pore size (ca. 12.6 nm), a high BET surface area (334.5 m(2) g(-1)), a large pore volume (1.06 cm(3) g(-1)), and good thermal stability (T-dec > 400 degrees C). Its application in wastewater treatment was demonstrated by the adsorption of various water contaminants.