Rachael Penn
Rachael has been a freelance journalist for 15 years for various publications including Tom’s Guide, Creative Bloq, Independent, The Spectator, Daily Express and more. She has written extensively on home and technology news as well as reviewed hundreds of products across home and technology. She has a keen interest in AI and also written articles on this topic for Tom’s Guide. She also enjoys reviewing home, travel and tech gadgets, especially anything that has been designed to make life easier like smart home gadgets. She’s covered most tech including laptops, cameras, projectors, smartphones, headphones and more. When she isn’t writing Rachael can be found working out on her peloton, taking her two dogs — Murray a Sealyham terrier and Maggie a West Highland terrier on walks and getting sucked into a rabbit hole of watching true crime documentaries.
Latest articles by Rachael Penn
![A man lies on his back in bed, sleeping happily in a comfortable position](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/SBtjKH7kecFXPUayv5AQPB-320-80.jpg)
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.
![A hand wearing a rubber glove uses a soft bristled brush to clean a mattress after incorrectly cleaning the cover with bleach](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/CKhKJ37tfQtPif4b5ax4nc-320-80.jpg)
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.
![A couple using the Scandinavian Sleep Method](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/J7bpzh7wnpMJhzVPJx62TX-320-80.jpg)
Scandi Sleep Method bedding sale — this weekend's best deals, from $12
By Rachael Penn published
Trying out the Scandinavian Sleeping Method and looking for split mattress bedding? These are the 5 best deals to shop this weekend on sheets, pillows and mattresses.
![A blue Beautyrest guest mattress in a light bedroom](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/jSoR6nyZQWzHSWf2Du4jHB-320-80.jpg)
The 5 best Prime Day guest air mattress deals — prices from just $58
By Rachael Penn published
The Amazon Prime Day sales are now live and here’s the five best guest air mattress deals you can shop today.
![Woman holds lens, shows there are bed bugs in the mattress](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/NFVUt6DG85jZAmSKRKkacj-320-80.jpg)
By Rachael Penn published
A fully zippered mattress encasement is the only way of protecting your bed against bed bugs, scabies, dust mites and more. Here's the 3 best deals to shop this Prime Day.
![A woman sleeps on the Pharmedoc Cooling Memory Foam Bed Rest Pillow in Lilac Dreamer, a Toms' Guide Prime Day deals graphic (right)](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/bNZnLxWmoS7gqpRsmgeUDj-320-80.jpg)
I sleep hot — these are the cooling sheets, pillows and topper Prime Day deals I'd buy
By Rachael Penn published
Invest in new cooling bedding and sleep better this summer with these Amazon Prime Day deals from as little as $24.
![Beautyrest Cool Wave Plus Convoluted Pressure-Relieving Memory Foam Mattress Topper](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/hkCUyLmNkeskY2VAzPZ5TQ-320-80.jpg)
9 Prime Day bedding deals I'd buy — bed sheets, pillows and toppers from $27
By Rachael Penn last updated
Snag a great deal on these Amazon best-selling bed sheets, pillows and mattress toppers this Prime Day.
![Bedsure dorm room bedding set in sage green with a blue Prime Day deals badge overlaid on the bottom right corner](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/cFnKhhamGafPsRPv9SbQNg-320-80.jpg)
I've found 5 epic Prime Day dorm room bedding deals — sheets, pillows and more from $23
By Rachael Penn published
Today's five best Prime Day dorm room bedding deals — bed sheets, pillows and toppers from just $23.
![Linenspa Memory Foam Hybrid mattress](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Xmaxp9oV5Fb8ij32aB3LZN-320-80.jpg)
This best-selling Amazon mattress just dropped to under $200 for a queen —here's why I'd buy it
By Rachael Penn published
Buy a queen size Linenspa 10" Memory Foam Hybrid mattress for just $197 in an epic Amazon Prime Day deal. Here's why I'd buy it.
![A woman scratches her arm in bed because there's scabies in the mattress and bedding](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/x6L6wxrcq6wmMHBW2yAhsJ-320-80.jpg)
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.
![A woman with dark hair sleeps on a memory foam mattress dressed with white pillows and sheets](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/9WDdRVpN8ADVUY54uipTWR-320-80.jpg)
This is how often should you change your pillow, according to an expert
By Rachael Penn published
This is how often you should change your pillow, according to a sleep expert. Plus, 5 common signs you need to change your pillow for better sleep and health.
![A hand wearing a rubber glove uses a soft bristled brush to clean a mattress after spraying the yellow stains with shaving foam](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/CKhKJ37tfQtPif4b5ax4nc-320-80.jpg)
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.
![Image shows the Casper mattress in a box unrolled and placed on a grey fabric bed frame in a blue bedroom with a blue price drop sales image overlaid in the bottom right hand corner](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/eCoSs3wio3oCrzmtBEWbiD-320-80.jpg)
The 5 best 4th of July mattress in a box sales still live today — up to $1,088 off
By Rachael Penn published
Save up to $1,088 on top-rated mattresses in a box from Emma Sleep, Casper, Nectar Sleep and more.
![The Nolah Natural 11 Mattress on a wooden bed frame and dressed with pillows](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/wfX9dDv58VeoiYeEJCtXCD-320-80.jpg)
Latex mattress vs latex mattress topper — which should you buy in the 4th of July sales?
By Rachael Penn published
Here's how to decide between a latex mattress or a latex mattress topper in the 4th of July sales.
![A closeup of the corner of the Stearns & Foster Lux Estate mattress, a Tom's Guide price drop deals graphic (right)](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/pEqpDUnTWZJ3H8C6uyhEVT-320-80.jpg)
Which Stearns & Foster mattress should you buy in the 4th of July sales? I'm a sleep writer, here's my take
By Rachael Penn last updated
There's $700 of savings at Stearns & Foster this 4th of July — but which bed should you buy? I'm a sleep writer, this is what I think.
![Tempur-Pedic Tempur-Breeze mattress with Act Fast deals flag overlaid](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/8tovrs7eDCazqj8wvSwBXB-320-80.jpg)
I'm a sleep writer — 5 beds I’d buy before the 4th of July mattress sales
By Rachael Penn published
The July 4th sales have kicked off and it’s a great time to buy a new mattress. Here are 5 of the best you can get right now with some big savings
![A mattress being stem cleaned to get rid of dust bites and bed bugs](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/aChvuMT5SDV7KktPvTaXtZ-320-80.jpg)
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...
![Two Tom's Guide sleep staff writers sit on a mattress after testing its support core](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/AvMFL66vDzmutULjBS78H-320-80.jpg)
What is the support core in a mattress and why is it important?
By Rachael Penn published
The support core is a crucial element of every mattress – here's why, how they work, plus how to pick a mattress with great ground-up support.
![Cloverlane 15” Hybrid Luxury Firm Mattress on a tall bed and topped with 5 plush cushions](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/baabXYZCKNpLMF3jcJKDmA-320-80.jpg)
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
![Tempur-Pedic Tempur-Adapt mattress on a platform bed](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/qyK2BidYM2snJqSewtN8oU-320-80.jpg)
How to clean a Tempur-Pedic mattress without ruining it — 7 steps to follow
By Rachael Penn published
How to deep clean your Tempur-Pedic mattress without ruining it — 7 steps to follow.
![The Beautyrest Harmony Lux mattress with a TG Killer Deal badge laid over the top](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/2EEDG2gAqJULq9zhuHFudL-320-80.jpg)
Top 4th of July mattress sales that include free mattress removal — 3 beds I’d buy now
By Rachael Penn published
How to get rid of a mattress? Just buy a new one. These 4th of July mattress deals include free bed removal — Saatva, Beautyrest and more.
![The Leesa Original Hyrbid matress placed on a wooden bed frame in a light and airy bedroom](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/oFxBditAK3mfYDpt6SnzmD-320-80.jpg)
Quick! The Leesa Original just dropped to $614 for a twin, plus free bedding and pillows
By Rachael Penn published
Save up to $495 on the Leesa Original mattress in this impressive 4th of July sale, plus get a free bedding set and pillows.
![Cleaning a mattress with a handheld vacuum cleaner to get rid of dust mites](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/zHvagerBtovitywYpD5egk-320-80.jpg)
How to deep clean your mattress to get rid of allergies: 7 proven tips and tricks
By Rachael Penn published
A buildup of pollen and dust mites can wreak havoc on your sleep — here's 7 proven mattress cleaning tips for allergy sufferers.
![The Cocoon by Sealy Chill mattress is seen on the left hand side of the image, while the Zinus Ultra Cooling Green Tea Mattress is seen on the right](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/oHesxUQrERZuXT3hRVXojD-320-80.jpg)
Cocoon by Sealy Chill vs Zinus Ultra Cooling Green Tea: Which budget cooling mattress should you buy?
By Rachael Penn published
We explore the key differences between the Cocoon By Sealy Chill vs Zinus Ultra Cooling Green Tea, to help you decide which best budget cooling mattress you should buy this Independence Day.