Model studies were carried out using the three-component CuCl₂, CoCl₂ and CrCl₃ solution in two greybrown podzolic soils. After saturation of soil with the three-component solution and elution with water, desorption was carried out with the 0.1 mol dm^-3 KCl solution. For comparison, desorption with the NH₄Cl, CaCl₂ and MgCl₂ solutions was also conducted. Desorption of Cu²⁺ with K⁺ was in both soils similar to that of NH₄⁺ and Mg²⁺but smaller in comparison with Ca²⁺. In the case of Co²⁺ desorption with the studied exchangeable cations was not differentiated. Desorption of Cr³⁺ with K⁺ and NH₄ + was greater than with Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺. The differences in desorption efficiency can be explained based on the theory of hard and soft acids and bases (HSAB).