Is It Illegal to Cut Pillow Tags?

We’ve all been there—relaxing in bed when a scratchy pillow tag ruins the moment. You want to cut it off… but then you read:

“UNDER PENALTY OF LAW THIS TAG NOT TO BE REMOVED EXCEPT BY THE CONSUMER.”
Wait—what?

What’s the Tag For?
That “law label” exists thanks to early 20th-century rules meant to stop manufacturers from stuffing

pillows with junk like dirty rags. The label lists what’s inside and protects you, the buyer.

The Scary Phrase
That warning? It’s for retailers—not consumers. You can remove it once you own the product. So yes, you can snip it.

When to Keep the Tag
Though legal to remove, it’s wise to keep it in some cases:

For returns or warranty claims

If it has washing instructions

When donating or reselling

Exceptions
Leave tags on baby items (car seats, crib mattresses) or anything with safety info.

Bottom Line
If it’s your pillow, you’re free to cut the tag. The law label is there to protect you before purchase—not punish you after. Just double-check for any useful info before you toss it.

So go ahead—snip away.