The present invention relates to a process comprising purifying dialkyl carbonates of the formula (II) in one or more columns in the presence of an alkylene oxide of the formula (V) and of an alkyl alcohol of the formula (IV) wherein R1 and R2 represent, independently of one another, linear or branched, substituted or unsubstituted C1-C6-alkyl, R3 and R4 represent, independently of one another, hydrogen, substituted or unsubstituted C1-C4-alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted C2-C4-alkenyl or substituted or unsubstituted C6-C12-aryl, and R5 represents a straight-chain or branched C1-C4-alkyl; and wherein the mean residence time of the dialkyl carbonate in the column(s) is from 0.3 h to 3 h.