> 70 wt% of CTA+ was removed in 15 min by ion-exchange extraction under sonication. The CTA+ removal by methanollic solution was better than that in aqueous solution. High CTA+ removal was achieved by exchanged with Na+ and NH4+ salts. Extraction with NH4+ salts retained MCM-41 structure better than Na+ and K+ salts. Extraction at 60 °C for 15 min was sufficient in terms of energy consumption.