If you've ever looked at the tag on your pillow to find instructions on how to wash it, you may have noticed laundry symbols, material percentages and bold, black letters stating, "Do Not Remove Under Penalty of Law."
The ominous message can make people feel curious and even confused about removing it. So to ease worries, we asked Emma Seymour, The Good Housekeeping Institute's Textiles, Paper & Apparel Lab Associate Director, for the truth about pillow tags. Here's what she had to say.
Can you cut off the "Do Not Remove" pillow tag?
The answer is yes (with a caveat). "If you are the consumer, you can remove the tag, but the brand selling it cannot," says Seymour. This is because the consumer, the buyer of the pillow, has a legal right to know about the pillow's material makeup, including the areas you can't see, such as the filling inside.
Therefore, the manufacturer cannot remove the tag — only the consumer can, after the pillow has been purchased.
Now, as far as whether you should remove the tags, that's a different story. Seymour doesn't generally recommend it, but if you really want it gone, you can.
"It's helpful to keep the tags on your pillows to ensure you can easily reference the care instructions and the materials," says Seymour. "It's also important that guests can reference the pillow's materials to avoid sleeping on anything they're allergic or sensitive to."
And if you're in the market for a new pillow, make sure you shop one of our top-tested picks.
The Best Pillows of 2025
Coop Home Goods Original Adjustable Pillow
Beckham Hotel Collection Bed Pillows Standard/Queen Size Set of 2
Kate Franke (she/her) is an editorial assistant in the Hearst Lifestyle Group, covering for Woman's Day and Good Housekeeping. She loves all things lifestyle, home, and market related. Kate has a BAJMC in Magazine Media and BA in Writing from Drake University. She is a proud ASME alum whose work has appeared in Food Network Magazine, The Pioneer Woman Magazine, Better Homes & Gardens, Modern Farmhouse Style, Beautiful Kitchens & Baths, and more. Next to writing, Kate’s two favorite things are chai lattes and pumpkin bread!
