Cleaning bricks?

[Elizabeth_Swann]

I've just exposed a brick fireplace after removing gas fire and horrid cladding! I intend to put together some oak beams as a chunky fire surround and I would like a more 'natural' look by keeping the bricks bare inside the fireplace recess - however they are quite sooty.

I have scrubbed them with a wire brush which has cleaned them up a bit. I've been told to dry scrub them to stop more soot from soaking in.

Anyone have any more suggestions on how to clean them up further?

Thanks in advance

 

[billyo]

sandblasting or patio cleaner might do it