To provide a method where an oil component or the like in an alkali liquid used for degreasing and cleaning a lubricant stuck to a metal surface are efficiently removed, and the alkali liquid is recycled.

The method of recycling an alkali liquid for removing a lubricant used on metal working and cleaning a metal-worked article comprises stages (1) and (2): the stage (1) where a soap component included in a used alkali liquid is solidified and removed; and the stage (2) where an alkali is added to the alkali liquid freed of the soap component, and an oil component is separated. Preferably, the temperature of the used alkali liquid is controlled to ≤30°C in the stage (1), and the alkalinity in the alkali liquid freed of the soap component is controlled to ≥6% in the stage (2) so as to more increase the removing efficiency of the soap component.