Okay, so we’ve all been there You’re fluffing your pillow and trying to get comfortable, and then the annoying tag happens. I hate the feeling. On pillows, on t-shirts. How obnoxious and dull it is! You just want to tear that little tag off. The impulse to snatch up a pair of scissors and cut is real. But when … ah ha! There it is: “UNDER PENALTY OF LAW THIS TAG NOT TO BE REMOVED EXCEPT BY THE CONSUMER.” What? Wait up a second! I know it’s funny, but also very interesting. How come I’ve never noticed it or knew about it. First time my husband saw the tag, he was like “don’t touch it, don’t cut it off, before we figure out what it means”. He was so funny.
As it happens, it’s not the high drama that a line like that makes it sound like — though it is a little more complicated than just “cut or don’t cut.” So before you reach for those scissors, here’s what that tag actually means, and whether you’re technically allowed to take it off. Believe me no one knows this.
What Even is That Tag On Your Pillow?
That fabric tag flapping off the side of your pillow (or mattress, or couch cushion) is officially called a law label. Super exciting name, I know. “Law” is already in its name. But it actually serves a legit purpose. These labels are there to let you know exactly what’s inside the product you’re buying.
There was a time, and not-so-distant past, when bedding manufacturers were less than honest about what they dumped into pillows and mattresses. Well, it’s true. And I mean everything from horse hair to recycled materials (ewww). To prevent companies from skimping on ingredients, the government required them to label the full contents. Fair. That way, buyers could be armed with some information — and not find themselves resting their heads on pulverized floor sweepings. Who would want that. So, this whole thing with labeling was a really good thing for us consumers.
