It is well documented that the interlayer space of clay minerals, notably smectites (e.g., montmorillonite), can be intercalated with wide variety of inorganic cations or organic cations through ion exchange reactions or using other physical and chemical means of interaction. When the modification of smectite is performed with organic cations, their properties change from hydrophilic to hydrophobic. Therefore, the resulting materials become efficient sorbents of organic contaminants in wastewater, e.g., as sorbing materials in landfill liners etc. Organophilic montmorillonite is prepared through exchange of smectite interlayer cations with long chain (C16-C18) alkylammonium-based ions (surfactants). Ionic liquids containing long chain cations (mostly imidazolium based) are another alternative to conventional nanoparticle modifiers. The review provides an overview of available clay based intercalated materials with various ionic liquids and surfactants, their effectiveness in removal of organic contaminants, and potential applications in environmentally friendly technologies. Present review is providing a platform for understanding the structure, properties and potential applications of organically modified clay materials, especially emphasizing water treatment. © SGEM2018.