The present invention is a process for reducing the number of halogens on organohalosilanes and volatile organohalopolysilanes, while preventing unwanted reactions. The process takes advantage of the high susceptibility of the silicon-halogen bond to chemical reduction by an alkylaluminum hydride. This susceptibility allows the halogen to be quickly removed from the organohalosilane, forming reduced product, before less favorable reactions can occur. The reduced product is immediately removed from the reaction mixture by vacuum distillation, preventing further reactions. The process may be used to remove one or more, or all, of the halogens from organohalosilanes and volatile organohalopolysilanes.