Abstract The main goal of this research was to study the adsorptive capacity of an organophilic clay for the removal of textile dye Nylosan blue B113 and its further application in real textile effluent (RTE) treatment. The used clay known as Bofe was originated in the township of Boa Vista, State of Paraíba, Northeast of Brazil. Initially, the material was dried and powdered. Subsequently, the organophilic clay was synthesized by insertion of hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide. Furthermore, the clay was characterized using the following analyses: cation exchange capacity (CEC), X-ray diffractometry (XRD), surface area analysis, and pH of point of zero charge (pHpzc). Then, batch adsorption systems were performed along with equilibrium/kinetic/thermodynamic studies. At last, keeping the same weight/volume ratio, a solution of real textile effluent was treated. Results showed CEC of 54.40 mmol/100g, lamellar expansion from 1.69 to 2.01 nm, maximum adsorptive capacity of 50 mg.g-1, and chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal of 74% (RTE).