PROMISE
At Brave Kid, we promise to create products that are designed to last.
Made to be worn, re-worn, loved, and handed down through the adventures, play and discovery of many childhoods. To fulfil this promise, a selection of key products undergoes extensive durability testing, ensuring they can endure the rigours of youthful exuberance and stand the test of time.
We will empower and encourage our global Brave Kid family, to become champions for care and repair. Because together, we can make clothing that lasts, memories that endure, and choices that matter.
DURABILITY PROGRAMME
We test for:
- PILLING AND SURFACE FUZZINESS – so items never bobble, no matter how much they're worn and loved.
- BURSTING STRENGTH – ensuring fabrics stay hole-free, even after generations of wear.
- COLOUR FASTNESS – keeping colours vibrant, through every spill and splash.
- STRENGTH OF PULLER ATTACHMENTS – because a broken zip on a rainy day isn't an option.
- ABRASION RESISTANCE – making sure rubbing and friction don't leave their mark.
- RESISTANCE TO STRUCTURAL DISTORTION – so our knits and wovens hold their shape, even after 30+ washes.
- SEAM STRENGTH AND RUPTURE RESISTANCE – because strong stitches should withstand playground action and sudden growth spurts.
These durability tests do more than just ensuring our products meet the highest standards – they help us improve. When results fall short, they guide our research and development and inform the design of future collections.
CARE GUIDES
How to read a care label:
Each of our garments carries a dedicated care label with guidance on washing, drying, and handling. These instructions are carefully developed after thorough testing, tailored to each product, and represented by universal care symbols and written instructions in five languages, designed to help you care for each piece the right way.
Here’s what you’ll find on most of our care labels:
We recommend washing most of our garments at 30°C. Contrary to popular belief, it’s not the heat that does the hard work – it's the detergent and drum movement. Make sure you have a full (but not overloaded) drum and use a neutral detergent – it not only saves energy but also helps retain the garment’s shape and colour. The bar beneath the care symbol is a reminder: treat the piece with care, preferably in a delicate cycle setting. Dealing with a tough stain? Skip ahead to our stain spotlight for expert tips.
Never use bleach – this is one of our golden rules for all garments. We also advise against chlorine-free oxygen bleach. It may sound gentler, but it contains sodium percarbonate, which can irritate skin and harm aquatic life.
Tumble drying is another hard no. The repeated friction can pull fibres from the fabric, leaving garments looking worn far too soon, especially those with prints or embellishments.
Iron at a low temperature, no higher than 110°C, to save energy and protect the fabric from unnecessary heat stress. To reduce creases and skip ironing altogether, remove garments from the machine as soon as the cycle finishes and hang them right away.
Dry garments flat or gently hang them in the shade. This helps prevent yellowing or fading caused by direct sunlight, allowing each piece to maintain its shape and character over time.
Unlike many designer brands, wherever possible, we avoid dry clean-only labels. On the rare occasion we have to give this guidance, we recommend using environmentally conscious dry cleaners who use lower-impact methods like CO2 cleaning and biodegradable solvents.
Remember, not following the care instructions can lead to a reduction in a product’s lifecycle and negatively impact its appearance.
What else?:
- Inside out – we recommend washing and drying most of our garments inside out to protect prints, applique, and fasteners, and maintain seam integrity.
- Separate your Colours – protect the whites and pales from dark and bright colour bleeding. You can also use a colour catcher when washing colours.
- Protect prints and embellishments – iron around and not directly on them to avoid heat damage.
MATERIAL CARE GUIDE
COTTON:
Soft, breathable, and easy to care for, cotton is the most used material in our collections. While it can handle high temperatures, it is also prone to shrinkage – so we always recommend washing at 30°C, drying flat or hang drying and, if you have to, iron slightly damp.
WOOL, CASHMERE & OTHER ANIMAL FIBRES:
Wool has a natural ability to self-clean, resist stains, and stay largely crease-free. Try hanging a wool garment in fresh air – you'd be surprised to find that it may not need a wash at all. When you do wash, lay flat to dry and gently reshape the garment to maintain its silhouette.
DENIM:
Denim is a cotton fabric but is best treated like wool– wash it as little as possible, spot clean, or even freeze it to keep it fresh. Due to its unique dyeing process, denim may naturally bleed out some colour, so when you wash it, always keep it with similar shades. You can also use a colour catcher to capture some of the dye bleed.
PILE FLEECE:
Beloved for its cosiness, fleece sheds microplastics when washed, which can harm marine life. To reduce environmental impact, wash it in a micro-filter bag. Avoid tumble drying or ironing – heat can melt the soft fibres into hard beads.
CELLULOSE (MODAL, TENCEL, LYOCELL, VISCOSE):
Be cautious with rayon and viscose, as they tend to lose shape in a harsh spin cycle – dry them flat to maintain their structure. Modal and Tencel are more resilient but still benefit from gentle care.
GENUINE LEATHER:
To remove dust, light dirt and debris, gently clean with a soft sponge soaked in soapy water. More persistent stains should be treated by a leather specialist.
PADDED GARMENTS:
Brush off hard dirt or debris and turn inside out. Wash on its own on a gentle cold cycle. Do not spin or wring. Dry flat away from a heat source and shake once dry. Do not iron or store while still damp.
BEADED, SEQUIN OR RHINESTONE EMBELLISHED GARMENTS:
wash on a gentle cycle using a delicates laundry bag.
SPOTLIGHT ON STAINS
Sharing is caring! Tried and tested stain removal hacks to keep garments looking their best, using everyday ingredients that are kinder to the planet than harsh chemical cleaners.
The golden rule? Act fast. The sooner you treat a stain, the better your chances of lifting it completely. But don’t worry if you miss the moment – most of these tricks work even 24 hours later.
- MARKER & CRAYON – Blot with alcohol, sprinkle with baby powder to absorb residue, and rinse with cold water before washing at 30°. For tougher stains, make a paste of bicarbonate of soda and vinegar, apply gently, dub with alcohol, then wash as usual.
- MUD – Brush off dried mud, rub with lemon juice, rinse with cold water, then wash at 30°.
- GRASS – Rub with alcohol and dust with baby powder, rinse with cold water, then wash at 30°. For whites, rub in menthol-whitening toothpaste, let sit for an hour, then rinse with warm water before washing.
- CHOCOLATE – Apply a paste of bicarbonate of soda and white vinegar, let sit, then wash at 30°.
- OIL & GREASE – Apply dish soap, gently rub, rinse with cold water, then wash at 30°.
- FRUIT & JUICE – Mix lemon juice with bicarbonate of soda and a little water, apply to the stain, then wash at 30°.
- CHEWING GUM – Place the garment in the freezer overnight. Once hardened, gently scrape off the gum. If a mark remains, rub it with alcohol before washing at 30°.
- TOMATO & KETCHUP – Dab with a mix of white vinegar and washing detergent, gently rub, then rinse before washing at 30°.
- BLOOD – Rinse with cold water immediately, then soak in cold salt water for several hours before washing at 30°. If dried, apply hydrogen peroxide (available at pharmacies), blot with a paper towel, rinse with cold water, and then wash.
General Rules:
- LESS IS MORE –More detergent doesn't mean cleaner clothes. The excess can leave a residue, making garments look dull and feel stiff. Always follow the dosage guidelines.
- DROP THE SOFTENER –Fabric softeners can reduce durability and impact vitality over time. Go without or try a natural alternative.
- BOOST IT –Use half your usual amount of detergent and add ½ cup of bicarbonate of soda directly into the drum. It enhances cleaning power, keeps fabrics soft, and helps eliminate lingering odours.
PRODUCT SAFETY AND CHEMICAL MANAGEMENT
We pay close attention to every detail, from the materials to the construction. That means rigorous testing of almost all products for detachable components, sharp edges and flammability. Our teams also conduct regular on-the-ground checks with our suppliers to ensure standards are upheld and apply the feedback we receive from you in the development of each of our products.
We follow OTB’s strict c guidelines and adhere to the Group’s Restricted Substances List and work closely with our suppliers to ensure every partner meets these standards too.
In 2021, the OTB Group joined the ZDHC (Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals) Foundation's Roadmap to Zero Programme to develop a water and chemical management strategy based on the leading industry standards for all suppliers that employ wet processes.
CIRCULARITY
We’re looking to reduce our impact in all areas of business – including our packaging. Our orders are shipped in circular Movopack packaging. Find out more here.
We are looking into ways to make Brave Kid more circular – stay tuned!
FOREVER
We make a commitment to the next generation.
RULES
We want things to last, so we build from solid foundations.
FAMILY
We celebrate the shared values and the unique perspectives.
