Rachael Penn

Rachael Penn

Contributor

Rachael has a keen interest in all things sleep, including her expert knowledge on mattress cleaning, providing readers with the best hacks and tips to keep their beds clean, as well as trying out the latest viral cleaning products. Rachael also reports on leading mattress brands such as Helix, Saatva and Nectar, writing articles designed to help readers understand what they need from a new bed. She also enjoys reviewing home, travel and tech gadgets, especially anything that has been designed to make life easier like smart home gadgets. During the last 15 years, Rachael has contributed to various publications including Tom’s Guide, Creative Bloq, The Independent, The Spectator, Daily Express and more.

Latest articles by Rachael Penn

Cat urine on a mattress
How to get cat urine out of a mattress — banish stains and smells

By Rachael Penn Published

Accidents happen, so here's everything you need to know about getting cat urine out of a mattress

Mattress Care
The image shows the Naturepedic Concerto mattress on the left and the Helix Midnight Luxe on the right
Naturepedic vs Helix Midnight Luxe: Which luxury hybrid for side sleepers mattress should you buy?

By Rachael Penn Published

Side sleepers require soothing pressure relief. So which luxury hybrid does this best, the Naturepedic Concerto or Helix Midnight Luxe?

Mattresses
A man lies on his back in bed, sleeping happily in a comfortable position
Saving money helps you sleep better, says new study

By Rachael Penn Published

Findings from a new study shows that those who save money on a regular basis sleep more soundly than those who don’t save. Plus, how to sleep when you're feeling anxious.

Sleep
A hand wearing a rubber glove uses a soft bristled brush to clean a mattress after incorrectly cleaning the cover with bleach
You've been cleaning your mattress wrong — 3 household items you should never use

By Rachael Penn Published

When cleaning your mattress, these are the top three products you should never use otherwise you risk damaging the cover and the internal layers.

Mattress Care
A woman scratches her arm in bed because there's scabies in the mattress and bedding
Yes scabies can live in mattresses — here's what experts want you to know

By Rachael Penn Published

What you need to know scabies in your mattress, with advice from renowned skin experts on how to deal with an infection.

Mattress Care
A hand wearing a rubber glove uses a soft bristled brush to clean a mattress after spraying the yellow stains with shaving foam
Why are people cleaning their mattresses with shaving foam and is it safe?

By Rachael Penn Published

This TikTok shaving foam hack removes stubborn mattress stains in minutes — here’s how to use it, plus 3 other stubborn stain-removing tips. 

Mattress Care
A mattress being stem cleaned to get rid of dust bites and bed bugs
Should you clean your mattress with a Rug Doctor? An expert replies

By Rachael Penn Published

We asked an expert whether you should clean your mattress with a Rug Doctor and there's bad news for some people...

Mattress Care
Cloverlane 15” Hybrid Luxury Firm Mattress on a tall bed and topped with 5 plush cushions
Want the Saatva Classic but don't have the budget? 3 top-rated mattresses I'd buy instead

By Rachael Penn Published

The Saatva Classic is highly-recommended mattress that comes at premium price. Don't have the budget? Here's 3 other top-rated mattresses to shop this 4th of July instead

Mattresses
How to clean a mattress from urine image shows a fresh yellow urine stain on a white mattress surrounded by pink rubber cleaning gloves, a pink pot of bicarbonate of soda and a blush scrubbing brush
How to clean urine from a mattress — 7 pro tips for removing stains and smells

By Rachael Penn Published

The best tips and products for how to clean a mattress from pee, getting rid of strong smells and stains.

Mattress Care
Someone checking a mattress for bed bugs with a flashlight
TikTok trick instantly shows if your hotel mattress has bed bugs — how to use it

By Rachael Penn Published

Hotel mattresses aren't immune to bed bug infestations. This trending TikTok trick helps you spot them in seconds — here's how to use it...

Mattress Care
A man with dark hair sleeps on his side on a soft mattress covered by a white comforter
5 signs you should be sleeping on a soft mattress, not a medium-firm bed

By Rachael Penn Published

Medium-firm might be the most popular mattress firmness, but that doesn't mean it's right for everyone. Here's why you should switch to a softer bed...

Mattresses
Two women unbox a Helix mattress after leaving it in its box for too long, which is a common mistake people make after buying a new mattress
I’m a mattress writer — 5 mistakes people make after buying a new mattress

By Rachael Penn Published

You risk damaging your new mattress in a box if you do any of these things...

Mattress Care
Tempur-Pedic Cloud Hybrid mattress
Which Tempur-Pedic hybrid mattress should you buy in Memorial Day sales?

By Rachael Penn Published

Memorial Day is one of the best times to invest in a premium mattress, such as a Tempur-Pedic hybrid. But which should you buy? We've narrowed it down to these three beds.

Mattresses
A woman stands next to her bed as she shakes her duvet into the air
How do you get smells out of a mattress? Best tips, products and bed cleaning hacks

By Rachael Penn Published

Sweat, dirt and body oils accumulate over time and lead to yellow, smelly mattresses — here’s how to remove bad odors from your bed.

Mattress Care
Cleaning a mattress with a handheld vacuum cleaner to get rid of dust mites is a common mistake as ideally you need a separate small vacuum for your mattress for maximum hygiene
Cleaning a mattress — 5 costly mistakes to avoid when deep cleaning a bed

By Rachael Penn Published

We look at the common mistakes people make when cleaning a mattress and how you can avoid them during your next deep clean.

Mattress Care
Saatva Classic
Why buy a hybrid mattress? The 5 big benefits of foam and coil beds

By Rachael Penn Published

Wondering why a hybrid mattress has become the go-to bed for so many people? Here's a look at their major benefits and who they will and won't suit.

Mattresses
A person wearing pink disposable gloves cleans yellow stains from a white pillow
It removes mattress stains in minutes — but is cleaning your bed with hydrogen peroxide safe? 

By Rachael Penn Published

Hydrogen peroxide removes stubborn mattress stains in minutes. But is it safe to clean your bed with? Yes, provided you use it correctly.

Mattress Care
Person steam cleaning a white mattress to get rid of bed bug residue
How to steam clean a mattress to get rid of dust mites, bed bugs and more

By Rachael Penn Published

Learn how to steam clean your mattress like a professional and get rid of dust mites, bed bugs, bacteria and stains.

Mattress Care
A woman with dark hair stacks pillows on a bed to sleep upright
7 signs of bed bugs in your pillow — and how to get rid of them

By Rachael Penn Published

Here are the 7 signs that you have bed bugs in your pillows, plus a step-by-step guide to getting rid of them.

Mattress Care
A man sits up in bed because he feels too hot to sleep
5 signs that you need a cooling mattress

By Rachael Penn Published

The tell-tale signs that it’s time to switch to a cooling mattress to reduce your overheating and night sweats.

Mattresses
Woman wearing beige shorts vacuuming her white mattress to get rid of bed bugs
5 reasons you need to vacuum your mattress regularly — and what happens when you don’t

By Rachael Penn Published

Mold, bed bugs and dust mites — 5 reasons you should vacuum your mattress regularly, plus what happens when you don't.

Mattress Care
Woman cleaning a mattress topper
How to deep clean your mattress at home — get rid of dust mites, bed bugs and pet urine stains

By Rachael Penn Published

A step-by-step guide to deep cleaning your mattress at home to get rid of dust mites, bed bugs and pet urine stains.

Mattress Care
A mattress topper on top of a mattress
What is a mattress topper, and could one really help you sleep better?

By Rachael Penn Published

Here, we'll outline how the best mattress toppers can help you sleep better, plus 3 of the best mattress topper deals to shop today.

Mattress Toppers
A person holds a magnifying glass to a mattress to see the bed bugs crawling beneath
Bed bugs vs dust mites: Which pest is living in your mattress?

By Rachael Penn Published

If you’re waking up itchy and stuffy then it could be a case of either a bed bugs or dust mites infestation. Here's how to tell them apart...

Mattress Care
A green futon is seen folded up in a minimalistic, modern bedroom
What is a futon mattress and are they healthy to sleep on long-term?

By Rachael Penn Published

Would you ditch your traditional mattress for a futon? We look at how comfortable they are and whether they're good for long term sleeping arrangements.

Mattresses
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