The suitability of a few commonly available solvents (methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, n-butyl alcohols and acetonitrile) for selective extraction of free fatty acids from cottonseed oil has been investigated. On the basis of distribution and selectivity data and also economic considerations, ethyl alcohol was found to be the best among the solvents tried. Refining of cottonseed oil using alcohol was done both in a spray column and a mixer settler, and their suitability for this specific task has been ascertained.