In this work, melamine sponges were functionalized, to obtain hydrophobic and magnetic materials capable to absorb oil and hydrocarbons, by the addition of stearic acid (SA) and ferrofluid (FF) in a simple way. Physicochemical and structural properties of melamine sponges with stearic (M-SA) and stearic acid with ferrofluid (M-SA + FF) were evaluated. Scanning electron microscopy shows that the sponges have porous structure, which make them highly absorbent. Water contact angles (WCA), demonstrated that both (M-SA and M-SA + FF) sponges are hydrophobic, and that the SA concentration influences in WCA. The absorption capacity for hydrocarbons (toluene and diesel) and motor oil, was higher with M-SA than M-SA + FF sponges; both materials have good recyclability, and the separation of motor oil from water was done successfully in a continuous mode. The advantage of the M-SA + FF sponge is that it can be easily manipulated with an applied magnetic field. This work propose low cost and easy large scale manufacturing hydrophobic materials to separate oil from water.