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 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
The image shows the DreamCloud mattress on a wooden bed frame in a neautrally decorated bedroom

What is a DreamCloud mattress and which should you buy?

By Rachael Penn published

DreamCloud make some of the best memory foam and hybrid beds — but which one should you buy?

Mattresses
Titan Plus mattress in a bedroom, with a woman smiling and stretching

5 signs you need a firm mattress and not a medium-firm bed

By Rachael Penn published

Carving the support of a firmer sleep surface? 5 signs that you need a firm mattress, not a medium-firm bed.

Mattresses
A hand wearing a rubber glove uses a soft bristled brush to clean a mattress

How to clean your mattress and remove stubborn stains with household products you already have

By Rachael Penn published

You don’t need fancy cleaning products to remove stubborn stains from your mattress, here’s some household products you already have that will do the job.

Mattress Care
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 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
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
Tempur-Pedic Tempur-Adapt mattress on a platform bed

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
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
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
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
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
A lasy wearing a fine knit sweater and shorts lays on her side on the Leesa Studio Chill mattress

Leesa, Molecule, Saatva and more — 5 best cooling mattress and topper deals to shop in today’s Memorial Day sales

By Rachael Penn published

Don't let sleeping hot ruin your sleep. 5 of the best cooling mattress and topper deals to shop in today's Memorial Day sales — save up to $697.

Mattresses
A DreamCloud Adjustable Bed Frame with a DreamCloud mattress on top, in a bedroom. A Tom's Guide price drop deals graphic (right)

Need a new bed urgently? 5 Memorial Day mattress sales with the fastest shipping

By Rachael Penn published

If you need a new mattress urgently, these 5 Memorial Day sales from Purple, Casper and more have the fastest shipping times.

Mattresses
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
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