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

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
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
Brooklyn Bedding Signature Hybrid mattress with Cloud Pillow Top, photographed for Tom's Guide with sleep editor lying on it
5 signs you'd sleep better on a pillow-top mattress — plus our top 3 picks

By Rachael Penn Published

A pillow-top mattress adds an extra layer of padding, making it a great choice for people with back and joint pain. Here are five signs that you should switch...

Mattresses
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
The Purple RestorePremier Hybrid vs GhostBed Luxe mattress image shows the Purple on the right and the GhostBed on the left
Purple vs GhostBed: Which luxury cooling mattress is right for you?

By Rachael Penn Published

How to choose between the Purple RestorePremier Hybrid and the GhostBed Luxe, two of this year's top-rated cooling mattresses for hot sleepers.

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
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