Abstract: In a method of recovering phosphor for picture tubes from phosphor sludge, the phosphor sludge is first subjected to a steam treatment, thereby causing substances adhering to the surface of the phosphor particles to pass into solution. The phosphor is then washed several times. Following wet screening, one then obtains a phosphor suspension that can be further processed just like virgin phosphor. The said method does not comprise any drying or calcining processes. The steam treatment causes the phosphor particles in the phosphor sludge to lose their tendency to cluster and form lumps, so that one obtains a high-yield suspension of very fine phosphor particles that can be further processed without any additional grinding or homogenization steps.