We have developed an inexpensive method to fabricate graphene coated cotton through a self-assembly technique. This graphene coated cotton has advantages of low-cost, large availability, and mechanical flexibility. Meanwhile, the graphene coated cotton exhibit high oil/water selectivity in the cleanup of oil from water. The oil-absorption capacity of the sorbent is up to above 30 times their weight. When combined with a vacuum system, the time needs for oil collection was shortened. Therefore, this kind of graphene coated cotton might be a promising substitute for the conventional absorbent materials used in the large-scale removal of oil spills from water surfaces.