You’ve probably noticed that little warning label sewn onto your pillow or mattress, the one that reads something like: “UNDER PENALTY OF LAW THIS TAG NOT TO BE REMOVED EXCEPT BY THE CONSUMER.”
It sounds pretty serious — like removing it could get you in legal trouble. But is it really illegal to cut off that tag once it’s in your home?
The truth is, this warning isn’t aimed at you, the buyer. It’s actually directed at manufacturers and retailers. The tag’s purpose is to make sure the product’s contents are clearly disclosed before it reaches consumers. Back in the day, some companies used to stuff mattresses and pillows with questionable or recycled materials. To protect shoppers from those shady practices, laws were passed requiring companies to label what materials they use — often marked as “ALL NEW MATERIALS” or similar.
That strong language on the tag is a legal safeguard. It’s designed to prevent sellers from removing or altering the tag before you buy, so you know exactly what you’re getting. Once you’ve purchased the item, however, you’re free to remove the tag if you want — no penalties, no fines.
That said, keeping the tag can sometimes be useful. It might help if you ever need to return the mattress or pillow, file a warranty claim, or simply verify the materials used. But if the tag bothers you or looks out of place, cutting it off won’t break any laws.
In short: the stern warning on mattress and pillow tags is really about protecting buyers at the point of sale — not controlling what you do after the purchase. Removing the tag at home is perfectly legal, and the label’s true role is to hold manufacturers accountable, ensuring honesty and transparency in what they sell.