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

7 reasons why your mattress and pillow are turning yellow — and how to tell if they're still safe to sleep on
By Rachael Penn last updated
Yellow stains on your mattress and pillow are normal, but are they safe to sleep on and how do you get them out? We take a look...

How to clean a mattress and remove stubborn stains
By Diana Kelly Levey, Cynthia Lawrence, Rachael Penn last updated
Whether you're looking to deep clean your mattress or remove a stain, it's easy to get your bed squeaky clean with just a few household items.

How to remove mold from a mattress: 3 pro tips from a cleaning expert
By Rachael Penn last updated
Wondering how to get rid of mold on your mattress and whether it’s safe to sleep on? We have expert answers for you.

Why are people spraying alcohol on their beds and is it safe for your mattress?
By Rachael Penn last updated
Alcohol is a great disinfectant but should you use it on your mattress? Here’s what you need to know….

I’m a mattress cleaning expert — the 5 products I swear by for getting rid of urine, stains, smells and bed bugs
By Rachael Penn published
Presented by Helix Sleep
If you’re looking to get rid of urine, stains, smells and bed bugs from your mattress here are the essential products you need in your cleaning kit.

3 tricks professional mattress cleaners swear by for getting rid of urine and sweat stains
By Rachael Penn published
Sponsored by Helix Sleep
If you want to clean your mattress to a professional standard, here are three tips that professional cleaners swear by for getting rid of urine and sweat stains.

I tried the viral toothpaste and warm iron DIY mattress cleaning hack for brown stains — these are my results
By Rachael Penn published
Presented by Helix Sleep
Toothpaste is the main ingredient in this viral mattress cleaning hack — but does it actually work? This is what happened when I tried it.

5 DIY mattress cleaning jobs you should do now — avoid mold, bed bugs, allergies, and dust mites
By Rachael Penn published
Presented by Helix Sleep
Don’t wait until spring to clean your mattress, these 5 easy DIY cleaning tasks will ensure that dust mites, bed bugs and mold stay at bay.

Is a memory foam mattress right for you? We break down their pros and cons
By Rachael Penn published
We look at the benefits and drawbacks of memory foam mattresses, to help you decide if memory foam is right for your sleep needs

How to stop your memory foam mattress sagging in 5 easy steps
By Rachael Penn published
If you have a memory foam mattress and want to keep it comfortable for longer, here’s how to stop it from sagging.

What is the Nectar Classic Hybrid mattress and should you buy it in the Presidents' Day sales?
By Rachael Penn published
The Nectar Classic Hybrid mattress is on sale, but is it the right choice for you? We look at design, materials, support and comfort.

How to wash a memory foam pillow
By Rachael Penn published
If you have a memory foam pillow but don’t know how to wash it, here’s a step-by-step guide.

Nectar vs DreamCloud: Which memory foam mattress should you buy in the Presidents' Day sales?
By Rachael Penn last updated
We compare the Nectar Classic vs the DreamCloud Memory Foam mattress to help you decide which to buy in the Presidents' Day sales

How to clean a mattress pad — easy steps for foam, down, cotton and wool
By Rachael Penn published
Mattress pads can end up with stains, smells and even dust mites. Here’s a step-by-step guide for how to clean them, no matter what yours is made from.

How to wash a down pillow — 5 easy steps to cleaner, softer and fluffier pillows
By Rachael Penn published
If you have down pillows and need to know how to wash them, we've compiled a step-by-step guide.

Are memory foam mattresses good for stomach sleepers? I’m a sleep writer — here’s my take
By Rachael Penn last updated
Memory foam mattresses provide body-hugging pressure relief, but are they too soft for stomach sleepers? Here's what I think...

How to clean luxury, organic and natural mattresses — pro tips for cleaning premium materials
By Rachael Penn published
Keep your luxury, natural or organic mattress in great condition with these cleaning tips.

What is a luxury mattress and how much do they cost?
By Rachael Penn published
If you’re looking to invest in a luxury mattress but unsure what makes it worth the premium price tag — we take a look at exactly what they are and what they cost, to help you decide.

These 5 habits are making your mattress dirty — here's why and how to stop
By Rachael Penn published
Are your little habits making your mattress dirty? These hygiene habits that could be damaging your sleep quality.

Avocado Green vs Essentia Stratami: Which organic mattress suits your sleep?
By Rachael Penn published
We compare the Avocado Green and Essentia Stratami organic mattresses in terms of comfort, design and price to help you decide which suits your sleep best.

I’m a mattress cleaning expert — this is when you should rotate, vacuum and deep clean your bed in 2025
By Rachael Penn published
Your complete guide to maintaining and cleaning your mattress in 2025.

Why you should always deep clean your mattress after your holiday guests leave
By Rachael Penn published
From cookie crumbs to mulled wine spills, here's why post-holiday mattress cleaning is essential for a fresh start to the New Year.

Are DreamCloud mattresses non-toxic? We take a closer look
By Rachael Penn published
We're looking deeper at DreamCloud mattresses and their commitment to non-toxic materials and reveal what really goes in to these popular beds.
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