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. 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 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 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
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
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
A blue rubber-gloved hand holds a spray bottle aloft a dirty mattress

Why does my mattress smell? How to get rid or urine, mold and vomit smells

By Rachael Penn published

Urine, mold and vomit can all make your mattress smell. Here’s why it happens, plus how to get rid of unpleasant smells.

Mattress Care
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
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
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
Tempur-Pedic Cloud Hybrid mattress

Which Tempur-Pedic hybrid mattress should you buy in Memorial Day sales?

By Rachael Penn published

Memorial Day is one of the best times to invest in a premium mattress, such as a Tempur-Pedic hybrid. But which should you buy? We've narrowed it down to these three beds.

Mattresses
A woman stands next to her bed as she shakes her duvet into the air

How do you get smells out of a mattress? Best tips, products and bed cleaning hacks

By Rachael Penn published

Sweat, dirt and body oils accumulate over time and lead to yellow, smelly mattresses — here’s how to remove bad odors from your bed.

Mattress Care
Vacuum cleaning a mattress

7 pro tips for vacuuming a mattress to get rid of bed bugs, dust mites and smells

By Rachael Penn published

Vacuuming a mattress helps get rid bed bugs and dust mites. Here's how to do it properly and what to avoid...

Mattress Care
Cleaning a mattress with a handheld vacuum cleaner to get rid of dust mites is a common mistake as ideally you need a separate small vacuum for your mattress for maximum hygiene

Cleaning a mattress — 5 costly mistakes to avoid when deep cleaning a bed

By Rachael Penn published

We look at the common mistakes people make when cleaning a mattress and how you can avoid them during your next deep clean.

Mattress Care
Saatva Classic

Why buy a hybrid mattress? The 5 big benefits of foam and coil beds

By Rachael Penn published

Wondering why a hybrid mattress has become the go-to bed for so many people? Here's a look at their major benefits and who they will and won't suit.

Mattresses
A person wearing pink disposable gloves cleans yellow stains from a white pillow

It removes mattress stains in minutes — but is cleaning your bed with hydrogen peroxide safe? 

By Rachael Penn published

Hydrogen peroxide removes stubborn mattress stains in minutes. But is it safe to clean your bed with? Yes, provided you use it correctly.

Mattress Care
Person steam cleaning a white mattress to get rid of bed bug residue

How to steam clean a mattress to get rid of dust mites, bed bugs and more

By Rachael Penn published

Learn how to steam clean your mattress like a professional and get rid of dust mites, bed bugs, bacteria and stains.

Mattress Care
An iron emmits a jet of steam against a blue wall

How to steam clean your mattress with an iron — 7 dos and don'ts

By Rachael Penn published

Steam clean your mattress at home for a deeper clean with your household iron — here's how.

Mattress Care
Image shows a white pillow and mattress covered in yellow stains

7 proven tips for getting yellow stains out of your mattress and pillows

By Rachael Penn published

Tried and tested methods for getting yellow stains out of your mattress and pillows, leaving them looking as good as new.

Mattress Care
A woman with dark hair stacks pillows on a bed to sleep upright

7 signs of bed bugs in your pillow — and how to get rid of them

By Rachael Penn published

Here are the 7 signs that you have bed bugs in your pillows, plus a step-by-step guide to getting rid of them.

Mattress Care
Bundled up sheets placed in the center of a bare white mattress on a black bed frame

7 proven tips for reducing dust mites in your mattress, pillows and bed sheets

By Rachael Penn published

Dust mites can wreak havoc on your health and your sleep — here's 7 proven tips for removing them from your mattress, pillows and bed sheets.

Mattress Care
A man sits up in bed because he feels too hot to sleep

5 signs that you need a cooling mattress

By Rachael Penn published

The tell-tale signs that it’s time to switch to a cooling mattress to reduce your overheating and night sweats.

Mattresses
Woman wearing beige shorts vacuuming her white mattress to get rid of bed bugs

5 reasons you need to vacuum your mattress regularly — and what happens when you don’t

By Rachael Penn published

Mold, bed bugs and dust mites — 5 reasons you should vacuum your mattress regularly, plus what happens when you don't.

Mattress Care
Woman cleaning a mattress topper

How to deep clean your mattress at home — get rid of dust mites, bed bugs and pet urine stains

By Rachael Penn published

A step-by-step guide to deep cleaning your mattress at home to get rid of dust mites, bed bugs and pet urine stains.

Mattress Care
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