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

Image shows the DreamCloud mattress on a wooden bedframe in a white bedroom dressed with red curtains, with a blue price drop sales badge overlaid in the bottom right corner

5 queen size mattress in a box deals I'd snap up today — prices from $399

By Rachael Penn published

Shopping the weekend sales for a queen size mattress in a box? These are the five best deals online right now...

Mattresses
Woman wearing purple disposable gloves uses a pink sponge to clean stains and smells from a white mattress with a homemade stain remover

I test mattress cleaning hacks — here's the homemade stain remover I swear by

By Rachael Penn published

Remove stubborn mattress stains with my tried and tested stain removal recipe — here's how to make it at home...

Mattress Care
Image shows a brightly coloured dorm room with a clean and comfy mattress placed on a white bedframe and dressed with brightly coloured cushions and a grey throw

How to make a dorm mattress more comfortable and hygienic

By Rachael Penn published

A bed topper is a must for making your dorm bed more comfy, but here are some other things you can try...

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 sleeps on the Pharmedoc Cooling Memory Foam Bed Rest Pillow in Lilac Dreamer, a Toms' Guide Prime Day deals graphic (right)

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.

Pillows & Bedding
Beautyrest Cool Wave Plus Convoluted Pressure-Relieving Memory Foam Mattress Topper

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.

Pillows & Bedding
Bedsure dorm room bedding set in sage green with a blue Prime Day deals badge overlaid on the bottom right corner

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.

Pillows & Bedding
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
The Nolah Natural 11 Mattress on a wooden bed frame and dressed with pillows

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.

Mattresses
Tempur-Pedic Tempur-Breeze mattress with Act Fast deals flag overlaid

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

Mattresses
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
Two Tom's Guide sleep staff writers sit on a mattress after testing its support core

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.

Mattresses
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
The image shows the Tempur-Pedic Tempur Breeze Luxe mattress on a grey bed foundation in a neutrally decorated bedroom

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.

Mattress Care
The Leesa Original Hyrbid matress placed on a wooden bed frame in a light and airy bedroom

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.

Mattresses
Cleaning a mattress with a handheld vacuum cleaner to get rid of dust mites

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.

Mattress Care
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

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.

Mattresses
Puffy Lux Hybrid vs Beautyrest Harmony Lux

Puffy Lux Hybrid vs Beautyrest Harmony Lux: Which is the best luxury hybrid mattress for you?

By Rachael Penn published

Is the Puffy Lux Hybrid or the Beautyrest Harmony Lux the best luxury hybrid for you? Here's how to choose between them.

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
Image shows the Nectar Premier hybrid mattress on a white bedframe with two parents and two children sitting on top under a comforter, reading a kids book

5 signs you should replace your innerspring mattress with a hybrid bed

By Rachael Penn published

If you notice any of these sign, it's time to switch your innerspring bed for a breathable new hybrid mattress. Plus, our top recommendations in today's sales...

Mattresses
A woman with long dark hair sleeps happily on her side on a white cooling mattress

Cooling mattress vs cooling mattress topper: Which should you buy?

By Rachael Penn published

How to choose between a cooling mattress and cooling bed topper, plus the ones we recommend in this weekend's sales...

Mattresses
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