We determined the sorption mechanism of the acidic herbicides bentazon [3‐(1‐methylethyl)‐1 H ‐2,1,3‐benzothiadiazin‐4(3 H )‐one 2,2‐dioxide] and dicamba (3,6‐dichloro‐2‐methoxybenzoic acid) on two organoclays, octadecylammonium (ODA)‐ and hexadecyltrimethylammonium (HDTMA)‐exchanged Arizona montmorillonite (SAz‐1), as part of a study to determine their potential use as sorbent materials for ionizable organic pollutants. To determine the mechanisms involved in the sorption process, herbicide‐organoclay complexes were characterized by x‐ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). In general, the d 001 values of SAz‐HDTMA and SAz‐ODA organoclays expanded after herbicide saturation, indicating interlayer sorption of the herbicide. Also, FTIR spectroscopic studies suggested weak hydrophobic interactions between these herbicides and the interlayer organic phase of the organoclays. However, H bonding between these herbicides and the monosubstituted amino group in SAz‐ODA reinforced the strength of the hydrophobic interactions resulting in nonreadily reversible sorption on that organoclay. These results suggest that organoclays can be used to remove this type of pollutants from water or soils.