Is it Illegal to Pull the Label Off a Mattress?

The mattress tags saying "do not remove" do not apply to consumers.

Although the tags on mattresses, pillows, and upholstered furniture seem to say that the label cannot be removed, a careful reading of the tag shows that the label cannot be removed by the retailer. The end buyer may remove the tag without penalty.

Function

The warning labels are actually a protection for the consumer. The tags state what materials were used to manufacture the mattress or other upholstered item. They also tell if the product was made with new or recycled materials, and if the materials are fireproof or not.

Fun Fact

The reason for those mattress tags is that in the past, used mattresses were sold as new, and bedbugs and other pests were transferred through mattress sales. The tags were originally required as a way to protect consumers from vermin.

Warning

While the end consumer can remove the tag without legal ramifications, the tag may be required by some mattress or furniture manufacturers for warranty purposes. If the tag is removed, place it in a safe place with the purchase receipt and warranty information in the event that it is necessary to file a warranty claim.

References

• The Consumerist: Warning: Actual Consequences to Removing Mattress Tags
• WikiLaw 3K: Why is it Illegal to Remove Those Tags from Pillows and Mattresses
• I Did Not Know That Yesterday!: Why Can't You Take the Tag Off Your Mattress?