You’ve probably seen the ominous warning on your pillow or mattress tag: “UNDER PENALTY OF LAW THIS TAG NOT TO BE REMOVED EXCEPT BY THE CONSUMER.” It sounds serious—almost scary—but don’t worry. That message is meant for manufacturers and retailers, not everyday buyers. The purpose is to protect consumers by requiring sellers to disclose what materials are inside the product. This was especially important back when companies used to stuff pillows and mattresses with unhygienic, low-quality fillings.

Once you’ve bought the pillow, you’re legally free to snip that tag right off. You won’t be arrested, fined, or tracked by any government agency. The law only restricts removal of the tag before the item is sold. It’s essentially a transparency measure designed to keep sellers honest—not a way to police your bedtime behavior. So if that crinkly label is ruining your nap, grab those scissors.

That said, there are still good reasons to leave it attached. Those tags often contain useful information like cleaning instructions, return policies, or warranty details. Some donation centers and resale shops also prefer tags to remain on items for hygiene and authenticity purposes. And in the case of certain baby products—like car seats or crib mattresses—removing the tag can actually void the warranty or eliminate essential safety info.

So while it’s totally legal to cut off your pillow tag, it’s smart to double-check its contents before tossing it. The dramatic language is a relic from older, stricter regulations, but it stuck around and still spooks people. If you don’t need the information, go ahead and remove it guilt-free. That annoying tag won’t be poking you in the cheek anymore—and no one’s coming to arrest you.