From: Paul
Location: St Cloud
Date: 11/4/00
Time: 8:30:39 PM
OK, it appears we have a disagreement here on the Q/A page.
Stoneware can tolerate bleach with no problem!!
Bleach and peroxide are commonly used to soak out hairline cracks from stoneware to make the damage less noticeable. Doesn't harm it a bit. Both of these agents seep into the hairlines and remove the dirt, making the cracks sometimes invisible. I've seen many collectors fooled by bleached items. Go ahead and use it to clean any stoneware, including spongeware and spongeband. The appearance will definitely improve, but please don't sell an item without disclosing that you've bleached out a hairline:)
I can't speak for dinnerware - maybe the glazes are different.
Paul