Why would methanol and water be used for an aqueous layer in a separating funnel compared to just water?

I have a protocol for separating an inorganic component from an organic mixture, which asks for the mixture to be suspended in methanol and water and then doing an extraction with hexane. I understand that this allows separation of polar components from non-polar components. I am wondering what use methanol in water has in liquid-liquid extractions compared to just using water? My only ideas are: lowering the polarity of water, increasing the density, or somehow allowing some compounds to collect at the interface.


