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

Left, a close up of a pair of hands wearing yellow gloves using a pray bottle to apply cleaning solution to a mattress and a scrubbing brush. Middle, mattress tester Lauren Jeffries starts stripping the bed. Right, a close up of a Jimmy mattress vacuum being used to vacuum the surface of a dirty mattress.

It's the last weekend to clean your mattress before Christmas — why you should and the 3 vital steps to get rid of winter germs, smells and stains

By Ruth Jones published

Easy cleaning hacks to get your mattress festive fresh before Santa (and your guests) arrive, using things you already have in your cabinets.

Mattress Care
A woman lies in bed in the morning rubbing her eyes as she lays on gray and white bedding.

How to sleep well when you're not in your own bed — plus 3 sleep essentials you need in your suitcase

By Ruth Jones published

Can't sleep in a new room? Don't let the first night effect ruin your holidays with our guide to sleeping well in a different bed.

Sleep
A person wearing rubber gloves uses a spray bottle and a clean cloth to clean the surface of the Emma Elite mattress.

Expert warns everyone should check their mattress for this dangerous stain in the winter

By Ruth Jones published

An expert explains how a moldy mattress might be making your sick and what you can do to keep your bed (and your health) safe.

Mattress Care
On the left, a woman lies in bed blowing her nose because she doesn't feel well. On the right, a man sits on the edge of the bed in the dark with his head in his hands, feeling stressed and experiencing insomnia.

Doctors warn this common sleep problem could leave you at risk of 'super flu' — here's how to prevent it

By Ruth Jones published

A new study explores how insomnia and anxiety are linked to a weakened immune system. Here's why, plus expert tips for sleeping better in flu season.

Sleep Problems
On the left, an image of two women closely inspecting the bedding of a mattress as they make the bed, in our Sleep Lab. On the right, a close up of bed bugs giding in the seams of a mattress

Stop bed bugs from ruining your guest room mattress this holiday season — all you need is a credit card

By Ruth Jones published

Bed bugs love the busy holiday season so keep them out of your mattress with this handy bed bug prevention kit you already own.

Mattress Care
A woman drinking from a mug sits on her bed wrapped up in a blanket and multiple layers to try and stay cozy

This one piece of bedding can help you stay cozy at night without turning the heating on — and it's not an electric blanket

By Ruth Jones published

Struggling to stay cozy at night as the temperatures drop? How a weighted blanket can keep you warm, help you sleep and save you money.

Pillows & Bedding
The Saatva Classic mattress on a bed frame in a bedrom. At the top of the image is the Saatva logo, the Team USA Olympic and Paralympic logo, and the words "Official mattress and restorative sleep provider of Team USA"

"Unlocking a super power by taking sleep seriously" — Saatva's CEO on luxury mattresses, gold medal moments and why we should treat sleep like a workout

By Ruth Jones published

I spoke to Saatva CEO Ron Rudzin on how this luxury mattress partnership might create some gold medal moments and why we should all treat sleep like an Olympic final.

Sleep
A collage of images showing the memory foam mattress testing process in our sleep lab. Top left, we test thermal imaging by using a phone with a thermal imaging camera, looking down on the mattress on which a member of our testing team lies. Top right, we test motion isolation, as one tester lies on the left side of the bed and the other jumps onto the right side. Bottom left, another motion isolation test, as two testers stand on the right side of the mattress using a tape measure and rig to determine where to drop the slam ball. Bottom right, we test pressure relief using a laser pen, trained on our testers back as she lies in side sleeping position

Memory foam mattress myths debunked — 4 things I’ve learned about all foam beds after testing them from head-to-toe

By Ruth Jones published

Memory foam mattresses have a certain reputation but after extensive testing both at-home and in our sleep lab, it's time for a foam rethink.

Mattresses
Helix Midnight Luxe Mattress

How long does a hybrid mattress last? Plus 3 signs you need to replace yours

By Ruth Jones last updated

A hybrid mattress won't last forever, and in this guide we explore the key signs that it's time to replace your hybrid bed.

Mattresses
On the left, a hand holds up the cover of a pillow to reveal the interior filling. On the right, pillow tester Ruth Jones is stomach sleeping on the Tempur-Pedic Tempur-Cloud Pillow on a bed in her bedroom

I upgraded to this Tempur-Pedic pillow to finally get rid of my neck pain — and it helped me sleep so much better

By Ruth Jones published

I learned the hard way that you should replace your pillow every two years — and the Black Friday sales are the perfect time for an upgrade.

Pillows & Bedding
A member of our mattress testing team jumps onto the Nolah Original All Foam Mattress on a bed frame in a bedroom. She dives onto the bed ready to hit the cushioned comfort layers

What are mattress comfort layers and why are they important?

By Becky George last updated

Don't know what a comfort layer is in a mattress? Our expert guide explains it all, including how to pick a bed with the right comfort layers for your sleep needs.

Mattresses
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
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