In various embodiments, the present disclosure describes methods for removing impurities from a hydrocarbon stream containing at least one vinyl aromatic compound such as, for example, styrene. The methods include pretreating at least one sorbent to make the at least one sorbent operable for adsorbing the impurities, contacting the hydrocarbon stream with the at least one sorbent in order to adsorb at least a portion of the impurities and separating the hydrocarbon stream from the at least one sorbent. Impurities include, for example, colored impurities, sulfur-containing impurities and combinations thereof.