Rachael Penn

Rachael Penn

Contributor

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. For Tom’s Guide, 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. Aside from this, Rachael reports on mattress brands like Helix, Saatva and Nectar, writing articles designed to help readers understand what they need from a mattress. She also enjoys reviewing home, travel and tech gadgets, especially anything that has been designed to make life easier like smart home gadgets.

Latest articles by Rachael Penn

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
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

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.

Mattresses
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
A closeup of the corner of the Stearns & Foster Lux Estate mattress, a Tom's Guide price drop deals graphic (right)

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.

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
GhostBed Luxe mattress

5 of the best cooling mattresses in the 4th of July sales — save up to $1,880

By Rachael Penn published

The 4th of July mattress sales are your last real opportunity to pick up one of the year's best cooling beds at a discounted price this side of summer — here's five of the best deals.

Mattresses
DreamCloud Luxury Hybrid mattress

Need a new bed urgently? 5 top 4th of July mattress sales with super-fast shipping

By Rachael Penn published

If you need a new bed urgently, we've narrowed down five of the best 4th of July mattress deals with super-speedy shipping.

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
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
A woman sleeps on her back after practising Progressive Muscle Relaxation for sleep

What is Progressive Muscle Relaxation for sleep and can it ease insomnia?

By Rachael Penn published

There are lots of methods to help you get to sleep — Progressive Muscle Relaxation is one of the oldest. Here’s how it works if you’re having trouble sleeping…

Sleep
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
DreamCloud hybrid mattress in a bedroom

Last Chance! The best Memorial Day memory foam and hybrid mattress sales still live — up to 50% off

By Rachael Penn published

13 of the best Memorial Day memory foam and hybrid mattresses that are still live and ready to shop — but you'll have to act fast .

Mattresses
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