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

The Simba Hybrid Ultra Mattress placed on a bedframe in a stylish industrial bedroom

Where can I try and buy a Simba mattress in store and online?

By Rachael Penn published

You can buy a Simba mattress online and order in-store, so which is the best option? We take a look so you get the best mattress at the best price

Mattresses
Nectar Memory Foam Mattress on a yellow background

How to clean a Nectar Memory Foam mattress

By Rachael Penn published

Here are our pro tips on how you can clean and care for your Nectar memory foam mattress

Mattress Care
Image shows black mold on a white mattress with blue disposable gloves.

How to prevent mattress mold in winter — 5 ways to keep your bed fresh

By Rachael Penn published

Discover what causes mattress mold and how you can keep it — and any resulting health issues — at bay this winter

Mattress Care
A couple lifting up a mattress to air it out

3 crucial reasons why your mattress needs to breathe — especially in winter

By Rachael Penn published

Letting your mattress breathe should be part of your cleaning routine — here's why and how to do it.

Mattress Care
A handheld mattress vacuum on white mattress - not vacuuming regularly is a common mattress cleaning mistakes

7 mattress cleaning mistakes that age your bed prematurely — and how to avoid them

By Rachael Penn published

From not vacuuming regularly to using too much water when getting rid of stains, these mattress cleaning mistakes will age your bed fast.

Mattress Care
The image shows a bare mattress and pillows and a crumpled white duvet on top of a black bed frame

5 reasons why your mattress and pillows smell, plus how to deodorize them

By Rachael Penn published

Here, we'll tackle the common reasons why your mattress and pillows smell unpleasant, plus our 3-step guide to deodorizing them.

Mattress Care
The image shows the Nectar Classic Memory Foam mattress on the left and the Puffy Cloud Hybrid mattress on the right

Memory foam vs hybrid mattress: Which one should you buy?

By Rachael Penn published

If you’re looking for a new mattress, the choice usually comes down to memory foam or hybrid. For the undecided, our guide to memory foam vs hybrid mattresses will help you make sense of it all.

Mattresses
Tart cherry juice poured into a clear glass

Why are people drinking cherry juice for sleep and does it actually work? A sleep doctor answers

By Rachael Penn published

Drinking cherry juice for sleep is becoming popular, but is it a con or a cure? We ask an expert.

Sleep
A woman with long dark hair sleeps on new silk bed sheets. A blue price drop sales badge is overlaid in the bottom right corner

Labor Day bedding sales 2024: The 7 best deals live now

By Rachael Penn last updated

This year's Labor Day bedding sales are live, these are the best seven deals.

Pillows & Bedding
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

Study reveals the 3 dirtiest sleep products in a dorm room — plus how to clean them

By Rachael Penn published

This time, it isn't just your mattress that's a breeding ground for dorm room bugs.

Mattress Care
A cosy looking bed sits in the middle of a college dorm room - a Tom's Guide Price Drop deals badge is laid over the top of the image

3 reasons why you should use a mattress protector on your dorm bed

By Rachael Penn published

A mattress protector forms a crucial barrier against you and your dorm bed.

Pillows & Bedding
How to fix a squeaky bed

How to stop a squeaking bed — 7 quick tips

By Rachael Penn published

Is your squeaky bed keeping you awake? Here's how to fix it fast

Mattress Care
The image shows the Beautyrest Black mattress on a wooden platform bed base within a sleek, neautral bedroom

What mattress does the Hyatt Hotel use, plus 3 affordable alternative pillow-top beds 

By Rachael Penn published

We run through what type of mattress the Hyatt Hotels use, plus how you can recreate the same 5 star luxury at home with an affordable pillow top mattress.

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

How do you get stains out of a mattress without damaging it?

By Rachael Penn published

A guide to everything you need to know about removing stains from your mattress without risking damage to it

Mattress Care
Sleep editor lying on a Brooklyn Bedding mattress, with Lowest Price graphic overlaid

Should you choose the Brooklyn Bedding Mattress in 2024 Labor Day sales? Advice from a mattress tester

By Rachael Penn published

We’re sharing our expertise before the Brooklyn Bedding Labor Day sale so you know whether it’s the right mattress for you.

Mattresses
Image shows a white pillow being placed inside a washing machine for washing

3 types of bed pillow you can wash in a washing machine (and 2 you can't)

By Rachael Penn published

A handy guide to the types of pillows you can wash in a washing machine and the ones you definitely can't.

Pillows & Bedding
Image shows the Saatva Adjustable Bed Base placed in a zero gravity sleeping position

Not all mattresses are compatible with adjustable beds – here's why

By Rachael Penn published

Adjustable beds require a mattress that can bend and flex, find out why your mattress may not be compatible

Mattresses
A couple change the sheets on their mattress together

5 things you can do to extend the life of your mattress

By Rachael Penn published

Get the most out of your mattress with these expert insights.

Mattress Care
Image shows black coffee spilling out from a white cup onto a white mattress

How to quickly get coffee and tea stains out of a mattress

By Rachael Penn published

Our tried and tested tips for removing coffee and tea stains from a mattress and leave it looking and smelling like new.

Mattress Care
Image shows a person in blue disposable gloves pointing to bed bugs on a mattress, which will be treated with essential oils

Mattress cleaning: 3 essential oils that get rid of bed bugs fast

By Rachael Penn published

Bed bugs are a nightmare, but certain essential oils can help you get rid of these pests and leave your mattress looking and smelling like new.

Mattress Care
Cleaning a mattress with a brush to get rid of dried blood

How to get blood stains out of a mattress — tried and tested methods

By Rachael Penn published

/wellness/mattresses/how-to-get-a-blood-stain-out-of-a-mattress Proven cleaning hacks for getting fresh and stubborn blood stains out of your mattress.

/wellness/mattresses/how-to-get-a-blood-stain-out-of-a-mattress
A man moves a mattress on his own up a flight of stairs

How to move a mattress by yourself without damaging it

By Rachael Penn published

Successfully moving a mattress by yourself is all about being prepared

Mattress Care
A woman with long dark hair holds her back which is sore after sleeping on a mattress that's too firm for her

How to make a firm mattress softer — tried and tested tips

By Rachael Penn published

If your mattress is too hard for your body and sleep position, try these tricks and tips for softening it up

Mattress Care
Cat urine on a mattress

How to get cat urine out of a mattress — banish stains and smells

By Rachael Penn published

Accidents happen, so here's everything you need to know about getting cat urine out of a mattress

Mattress Care
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
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