i afraid i read this as cleaning medals,
i do keep my badges clean, but not highly polished.
i tend to use either brasso for brass (surprise surprise) but after i have used it, i rinse and lightly brush them ( i use an old toothbrush or mandy's if she's not around) i don't like huge deposits of old brasso that have been built up over the year, i think they take away detail and don't look good at all.
on silver or white metal, i prefer a silver dip again and again rinse and brush. on both i use a polishing cloth that a jeweller gave me.
i admit there are a few i don't make a big deal out of cleaning because i like the aged patina on them but there's a difference between that and muck!