A process for separating a hydrophobic hydrocarbon chemical from an aqueous emulsion and recycling the majority of the water, co-solvents, salts, and the emulsifier is set forth. A preferred emulsifier is a salt of a carboxylic acid, phosphoric acid or sulfonic acid having an amine in the hydrophobic portion of the emulsifier, said amine being capable of being protonated to change (increase) the water solubility of the entire emulsifier molecule. The process is useful for soil remediation by extraction in that it facilitates the recycling of the water and emulsifier dramatically reducing the amount of water and emulsifier used in remediating a site. A method for remediating contaminated soil using the process is also set forth.