Batch sorption experiments were carried out for the removal of cationic dyes (methylene blue and malachite green) from their aqueous solutions using sorbent made from fly ash-a waste material. Effects of various experimental parameters: initial dye concentration, contact time, pH, adsorbent dosage, solution temperature, surfactant addition and ionic strength on the fly ash sorption of dyes were evaluated. The isothermal data for sorption followed the Langmuir model. The maximum sorption capacity obtained for methylene blue and malachite green was 36.05 mg/g and 40.65 mg/g, respectively. Kinetic studies indicate that sorption on fly ash follows the pseudo-second order kinetics. Present research suggests that fly ash could be an appropriate adsorbent for the removal of basic dyes from aqueous solutions.