There's a lot of confusion included in that one little tag
Is It Illegal to Cut Off Pillow Tags? Here’s What to Know Before Pulling Out the Scissors
Published on May 15, 2025
Surely you’ve seen them. They’re big, scratchy and stare you in the eye as you try to fall asleep. Pillow tags are anything but subdued—and certainly counterproductive to all that rest you’re hoping to get. But the message printed on them is even more jolting: Do Not Remove Under Penalty of Law. That can’t be true … er, can it? Will snipping off a pillow tag be the rebel move that sends you into a life of crime? Who are these pillow police, and why are they telling you how to take a catnap? Read on for the answer.
Get Reader’s Digest’s Read Up newsletter for more humor, cleaning, travel, tech and fun facts all week long.
What is it about a pillow tag that makes people want to rip it off?
These paper tags aren’t pretty, and even when covered by a pillowcase, they might stick out and be an eyesore. Often, however, it all comes down to comfort. “The tags might bunch up or rub on your neck, and that’s not fun,” says Dan Caffrey, a certified sleep science coach at Sleepopolis.
The cause could also just come down to our natural instincts. “As humans we’re compulsive,” says Caffrey. “The reason we tear off pillow tags is maybe the same reason we like to pop bubble wrap: We’re just wired to pick away at stuff.”
What do those tags on pillows actually say?
Pillow tags at one time said simply “Do Not Remove Under Penalty of Law.” This message was usually in bold and all caps. In the past decades, the language was tweaked, undoubtedly because it was causing consumer confusion. It now says “Do Not Remove by Penalty of Law Except by the Consumer.”
Pillows aren’t the only household goods that carry this message; mattresses do as well. In fact, any product with stuffing is likely to have the label—cushions, furniture, sleeping bags and even some stuffed toys.
It’s certainly gotten Reddit buzzing. Says Davmilasav: “When I was little, I was mad at my mother for something, so I went into my room, pulled the tag off my pillow and waited for the police to come and arrest her.”
From another Redditor: “I pulled a tag off my pillow when I was a kid [and] my babysitter at the time told me I’d be serving hard time in prison for doing that … I freaked out and ended up putting the tag in her purse [as a] setup.”
Is it illegal to cut off the tags?
That depends on who you are. If you’re the consumer, then no, it’s not illegal. “These tags are actually there to protect your interests,” says Caffrey.
On the flip side, if you’re a manufacturer or seller of pillows, it is illegal to cut off the tags. “There is a law that requires tags to make sure the materials within the pillow are upheld to standards,” says Caffrey. “In the past, there were cases of sellers cutting into mattresses, swapping out the material inside and ripping off the tags. Manufacturers are also now required to list all materials used on the tag, and nobody can remove them except the buyer.”
How did this tag mandate start?
There’s a whole legal brief by the University of Washington School of Law that’s been written on the subject. It says that, beginning in 1913, states began enacting laws requiring those who manufactured or renovated mattresses to label them, indicating whether the materials were new or used. Today, most states have statutes regulating mattress manufacture, renovation or sales and requiring mattresses to bear tags until they are sold to the consumer.
The brief furthers that, before the division of bedding was developed by the State Department of Labor in 1933, a woman bought a new mattress believing it was made with soft cotton and horsehair. But when she lay on it, she was very uncomfortable. And when she cut it open, she discovered it was filled with old rags and newspaper.
Why might you want to keep a tag on your pillow?
These tags offer more than a stern warning; they also list the materials used to make the pillow. “That’s important for people with allergies, or for those who might invite people with allergies into their homes,” says Caffrey. Materials like goose down and latex, especially, are known allergens.
If you bought a nicer pillow and it’s under warranty, you’ll jeopardize your warranty by removing the tag. You’ll also find valuable care instructions on your pillow tag, such as how to wash it or, if you have a pillow with adjustable filling, how to unzip it and adjust the firmness.
Isn’t there a better way to convey that information besides a scratchy tag?
Some luxury pillow brands use embroidered calligraphy to provide information on a pillow. It looks better, but adds cost. Those of us on a budget may need to stick with standard pillows.
The great pillow-tag debate is certainly entertaining to talk about. As we cut off our tags, we can hope we don’t suffer the fictional fate of a character in the 1985 movie Pee-wee’s Big Adventure. When Pee-wee asks an escaped convict what he did to land in prison, the convict describes that he got mad and grabbed a knife. But after seeing Pee-wee cringe in fear, he changes his story to say that he simply used the knife to cut the tag off a mattress.
RELATED:
- Here’s Why Bathroom Towels Have Those Woven Strips on Both Ends
- How to Wash Your Towels to Keep Them Clean and Fluffy
- How to Wash a Down Comforter So It’s Perfect and Fluffy
About the expert
|
Why trust us
At Reader’s Digest, we’re committed to producing high-quality content by writers with expertise and experience in their field in consultation with relevant, qualified experts. We rely on reputable primary sources, including government and professional organizations and academic institutions as well as our writers’ personal experiences where appropriate. We verify all facts and data, back them with credible sourcing and revisit them over time to ensure they remain accurate and up to date. Read more about our team, our contributors and our editorial policies.
Sources:
- Dan Caffrey, performance editor and certified sleep coach at Sleepopolis
- University of Washington School of Law: “Mattress Tags and Pillow Cases”
