EDTA/PVDF electrospun nonwoven mats were produced by electrospinning and their heavy metal removal efficiency was evaluated by chelating filtration using electropolishing electrolyte as the processing target. Scanning electron microscopic (SEM) images revealed that the electrospun nonwoven mats comprised randomly oriented PVDF fibers (avg. diameter=476 +/- 145 nm) whose surfaces were decorated with EDTA particles. Attenuated total reflectance infrared (ATR-IR) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) indicated that the surface of the PVDF fibers exhibited tertiary amino and carboxylic acid groups, which were responsible for the removal of heavy metal ions. Metal-chelating filtration test showed that the produced EDTA/PVDF electrospun nonwoven mats removed 19 %, 18 %, and 60 % of the Fe, Cr, and Ni in the electropolishing electrolyte within 30 running cycles of metal-chelating filtration. The adsorption process is fitted well to the Freundlich isotherm model probably owing to that Freundlich isotherm model is the most important model for multisite adsorption of rough surfaces. This study provides a novel extraction material and procedure for the removal of soluble, sparingly soluble and insoluble heavy metal ions or particles from chemical sewage, such as that which drains away from electroplating or electropolishing plants.