Ruth Jones

Ruth Jones

Senior Sleep staff Writer

Ruth is an experienced Senior Staff writer at Tom’s Guide, covering all things sleep and mattresses. She writes to help people sleep better, from how-tos to the latest deals to mattress reviews, and has interviewed an array of experts who share her passion. She is also our specialist on memory foam — she’s flown around the world to see memory foam being made — and leads our hotel mattress content. She has a deep interest in the link between sleep and health, and has tried enough mattresses, from Helix to Nectar to Simba, to know the right bed really can make a difference to your wellbeing. Before joining the team at Tom’s Guide, Ruth worked as a sleep and mattress writer for our sister website, TechRadar.

Latest articles by Ruth Jones

cleaning mattress with rubber gloves on

Stop! You’re cleaning your mattress wrong — here are the only tips you need for a fresher, bug-free bed this winter

By Ruth Jones published

Cozy season is here but before you start hibernating, here are out top tips to keep your mattress clean all winter — and what you should never do.

Mattress Care
King size Westin Heavenly Bed on location at Westin New York at Times Square

What mattress does the Westin use?

By Ruth Jones last updated

We've been hands-on with the Westin Heavenly Bed and here's everything you need to know about the much-loved hotel mattress.

Mattresses
A woman lies in bed in the middle of the night unable to sleep, watching her alarm clock which is placed on a nightstand in the foreground of the image

The 5 sleep types and how they impact our mental health, according to scientists

By Ruth Jones published

How we sleep (or don't sleep) impacts our brain in different ways, a new study finds. We asked an expert what these 'sleep profiles' mean for your health.

Sleep
A close up of a pair of hands in rubber gloves using vinegar to blot the corner of a mattress. In the top left, a close up of a spider

This vinegar mattress cleaning hack will banish spiders from your bed this fall — here's how

By Frances Daniels, Ruth Jones published

A cleaning expert reveals why you should be dabbing vinegar on your mattress — it's a must this spider season.

Mattress Care
On the left, a woman wearing pajamas sits in her bedroom and works on her laptop. In the middle, a member of the Tom's Guide sleep team enjots a good night's rest on a comfortable mattress. On the right, a woman lies in her bed and writes notes in a notebook.

Can't sleep? 3 habits to start today for better rest tonight, expert reveals

By Ruth Jones last updated

Sleep expert Dr. Leah Kaylor explains how to craft an easy routine for improving your rest, including the 'gold standard' habit for better sleep

Sleep
A couple asleep in bed under white bedsheets, lying back to back

Matthew McConaughey’s bedroom downgrade is 'best thing’ for his marriage — but mattress experts disagree

By Ruth Jones published

Matthew McConaughey might like to cuddle but our mattress experts agree that personal space is better for sleep.

Mattresses
A woman lies in bed sleeping soundly. In the top left, a box out showing a closeup of two hands performing the five finger breathing method for better sleep

Forget finger breathing — here’s what actually works when you’re too stressed to sleep

By Ruth Jones published

Five finger breathing is an expert-recommended technique to stop stress ruining your sleep. I went hands-on to see if it works.

Sleep
A woman lies on a mattress made up with the Utopia Bedding Sheet Set in a pale green color

Studies warns that 51% of adults aren't using this essential bedding item and it could be ruining your mattress

By Ruth Jones published

A mattress protector is an easy and inexpensive way to keep your bed cleaner for longer — here's why you need one.

Mattress Care
On the left, an image of a bed in a bedroom, made up with a yellow duvet and pillows. On the right, a closeup of a mattress with dark spots at the corner which might indicate mold, with a finger pointing to the stain

The one mattress stain you should never ignore — expert explains why and what to do

By Ruth Jones last updated

Dark spots on your mattress are an early sign of mold plus other common mattress stains, rated from harmless to dangerous.

Mattress Care
An image of a woman experiencing sleep deprivation, she's standing in a kitchen holding a cup of coffee and yawning widely. In the top right corner, a picture of creatine powder being added to water in a workout bottle, a dumbbell in the background

Tired of being tired? Scientists say this unexpected supplement could help undo sleep deprivation

By Ruth Jones published

Creatine is a popular pre-workout supplement but recent studies suggest it might also help those experiencing sleep deprivation.

Sleep
A collage of images against a green background — in the top left corner an image of a monkey in the rainforest. In the bottom right, a woman lies in bed stretching after a good night's sleep

I thought the viral drunken monkey sleep hack was a joke — until I tried it

By Ruth Jones last updated

The drunken monkey sleep method might sound like a bananas way to drift off, but this viral TikTok hack has surprising benefits.

Sleep
A woman lies on her back in a bed that has white bedding, covering her face with one hand.

Chronic insomnia could be aging your brain by 3.5 years, scientists find

By Ruth Jones published

A new study uncovers the link between dementia and chronic insomnia, a condition though to impact around 12% of Americans.

Sleep Problems
A woman sits on the end of a thin mattress in a bed frame in a bedroom. As the mattress has a small build, it lacks some support and cushioning

Yes, you can sleep on a six-inch mattress but I don't recommend it — here's why

By Ruth Jones published

Only three types of people need a six-inch mattress — we explore the reasons to buy, and all the reasons to avoid, these thin beds.

Mattresses
A photo of a bed on a bed frame in a bedroom, in the top right corner, a close up of bed bugs hiding in fabric

Bed bugs love it when you store these 5 things by your mattress, experts warn

By Ruth Jones published

The space under your bed is an easy storage solution but we're exploring how forgotten clutter might harm your mattress — and your sleep.

Mattress Care
Young woman is wide awake at night and wants to fall back to sleep fast

Too wired for bed? Here's how a simple habit switch saved my sleep

By Ruth Jones published

For International Relaxation Day I explore how changing my evening routine helped me start winding down, and sleeping, better.

Sleep
A mattress in a hotel made up with pillow and sheets, with folded towels and a breakfast tray on top of the bed

I learned the surprising reason why hotels use white sheets — and I'm never buying colorful bedding again

By Ruth Jones published

White bedding isn't just boring — these practical and elegant sheet sets are a must in hotels. Here's why I'm adding them to my own home.

Pillows & Bedding
A man wearing a laurel holds a conch shell to his lips and blows into it, practicing the ancient ritual of shankh breathing

Blowing into a conch could be new, accessible treatment for sleep apnea, says research

By Ruth Jones published

New research finds that the ancient ritual of conch blowing could reduce sleep apnea symptoms. Here's what that means for you.

Sleep Problems
On the left, an image of a young women checking her bed sheets and mattress for any sigs of bed bugs. On the right, a close up of bed bugs in a mattress

3 signs there are bed bugs in your dorm room mattress — and how to get rid of them

By Ruth Jones last updated

Dorm rooms can be a haven for bed bugs with visitors arriving from across the U.S. but with these tips, you can stay pest free.

Mattress Care
On the left, an overhead shot of a person using their laptop while sitting on their bed, a phone to one side. On the right, two mattress testers sitting on top of a mattress on a bed frame in a bedroom, discussing the comfort and quality

Would you let TikTok choose your bed? Shoppers are using social media to find a mattress — but I think it’s a bad idea

By Ruth Jones published

Social media might be a great place to find opinions but I'm wary of its uses when mattress shopping — here's why.

Mattresses
Two Tom's Guide mattress testers sat crossed legged on the Birch Luxe Natural mattress laughing and smiling

I'm a mattress tester — here's how to break in your new bed quickly

By Ruth Jones published

Don't like that 'fresh out the box' feel of your new bed? Here's how to break your mattress in plus how long it takes.

Mattress Care
A woman stands in front of a window in her bedroom during time, with her hands on the curtains preparing to pull them closed

Experts say the caveman method can help you sleep in a heatwave — but I tried it and no thanks

By Ruth Jones published

The caveman method did make my room slightly cooler in heatwave but my messed up body clock meant I still couldn't sleep.

Sleep
Woman performing upward dog on yoga mat during hot yoga class

Can't sleep? Yoga could add almost two extra hours to your rest, study finds

By Ruth Jones published

Can a quiet stroll or meditative yoga practise this evening help you sleep better tonight? A recent review explores the positive impact of gentle exercise on better sleep.

Sleep
An old mattress leans against the side of a building

Redditor's ‘gross’ new mattress is making me itch — what to do if your bed is delivered damaged

By Ruth Jones last updated

Unboxing a new mattress only to discover it's unusable turns your dream bed into a nightmare — at least for this Redditor.

Mattresses
A woman sits on her bed wrapped in a blanket and holding a cup of green tea

These 'sneaky' caffeine sources might be why you can't fall asleep quickly — here's what to look for

By Ruth Jones published

We ask an expert about the unexpected sources of caffeine in your daily diet and why this is bad news for your sleep.

Sleep
A woman wearing a pink sleep vests lies in bed with a white hot water bottle

I was going to try the viral frozen hot water bottle sleep hack — but this method is safer (and better)

By Ruth Jones published

Freezing your hot water bottle risks damaging the material but you can create a safer cooling pack using water from your faucet.

Sleep
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