In the present study the possibility of ion exchange of heavy metal ions using polar organic solvents and natural zeolite clinoptilolite is approached. The organic solvents used are nearly pure ethanol and acetone. These solvents are compared to deionized water. The heavy metal ions studied are Cu2+ Cr3+ and Fe3+. While ion exchange levels in water are much greater for Fe3+ (53.1%) in comparison to ethanol (12.5%) and acetone (3.1%), Cr3+ is exchanged in satisfactory levels in ethanol (46.8 and 27.4% respectively) and Cu2+ in acetone (23.8 and 26.6% respectively). Infrared (IR) and ultraviolet/visible (UV-Vis) spectrometry showed that complexes are formed, which are different in each solvent. It is concluded that the cation-solvent complex strength and charge, the possible rejection of loosely attached solvent molecules, the formation of precipitates, the properties of the solvent and free cations and the diameter of zeolite pore openings are all affecting the uptake of metals. Finally, the ion exchange of metals using zeolites is possible to take place in polar organic solvents and one significant finding is that selectivity can be totally changed.