That intimidating warning on pillows and mattresses has confused people for generations, but the important words are right at the end: “except by the consumer.” Once you’ve purchased the pillow, you are the consumer, which means you can legally remove the tag. The warning is aimed mainly at manufacturers, distributors, and retailers—not at the person sleeping on the pillow.

These tags exist because bedding products contain materials that consumers normally can’t see. Historically, dishonest sellers sometimes reused old filling or misrepresented what was stuffed inside mattresses and pillows. Labeling requirements were introduced so buyers could see what materials were used and so that information would remain attached to the product until it reached the final purchaser. Modern bedding regulations still require various labeling and manufacturing information on covered products.

That’s why a store employee generally shouldn’t remove the information tag before selling the product. The label is supposed to stay with the item through manufacturing and retail so the customer can inspect it. Once the product belongs to you, however, that frightening “penalty of law” language no longer means you’re required to keep the tag dangling from your pillow forever.

There can still be one practical reason to leave it attached for a while: the tag may contain manufacturer information, washing instructions, model numbers, or details useful for a warranty or return. If it bothers you while sleeping, photograph the label first and then carefully cut it off without damaging the seam.

So your husband doesn’t need to worry—you’re not going to have the pillow police knocking at the door.