An efficient method was established for the removal of Cu(I) and Cu(II) complexes in atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) using ion exchange resins with acidic groups. In the laboratories, these resins were used to remove copper catalysts from bulk, polymerization, and organic solutions. It was found that the rate of removal of copper complexes was dependent on the solvent polarity, temperature, type of ion exchange resins used, and ionic character and size of the copper complex.