Feel-Good Floss (Win! A Harper Prize Pack!)

Lauren Arnold of Harper Floss is on a mission to create a beautiful flossing experience that’s easy to stick to, good for the planet and easy on the wallet. Frustrated by the plastic waste and unappealing aesthetic of drugstore dental floss, Harper is made of 100 per cent biodegradable silk floss and, thanks to a subscription service, will arrive on your doorstep exactly when you need it (subscribers will receive the perfect number of refills every two months for the brand’s reusable glass jar). We chatted with Lauren and got the scoop on her eco-friendly flossing habits! —Vita Daily

Hi Lauren! Please tell us about Harper Floss! When and why did you launch?

We (four friends who were frustrated by the plastic waste and unappealing aesthetic of drug store dental floss) launched Harper in August 2020. Traditionally, flossing is expensive, inconvenient and wasteful. We wanted to create a beautiful flossing experience that’s easy to stick to, good for the planet, and easy on the wallet.

How does conventional floss harm the environment?

Conventional dental floss packaging is filled with mixed plastic materials that are non-recyclable, and one-use. The actual floss used in conventional dental floss products is made of nylon (derived from crude oil), and takes 50 to 80 years to decompose, oftentimes in the ocean. Yuck. Because conventional floss is designed not to tear at all costs (which actually can result in people over flossing too vigorously, and irritating their gums) it is extremely harmful when it makes its way into our oceans. Like other forms of plastic, it can end up suffocating marine animals or making its way to their stomachs where it often stays for years. And don’t even get me started on the one-use dental-floss picks.

In what other ways is conventional floss unappealing?

You never have it when you need it. Period. It runs out quickly and then, once you finally make your way to the drugstore, you have to remember to replace your floss. How many times have you returned home from the drugstore without floss when you need it? On top of that, the packaging and branding is stuck in the ’80s.

What makes your floss different/an improvement over conventional offerings?

On top of the fact that our floss is 100 per cent biodegradable in a sleek reusable jar that you won’t be embarrassed to place on your vanity, we’ve made the entire experience accessible on a no-fuss subscription so you never have to worry about adding it to your shopping list.

What are the benefits of flossing with Harper?

We all agree that flossing is one of the most important dental habits to keep up, but now it’ll be something you never forget to replace so you can keep flossing, habitually. On top of that, you can have peace of mind that you’re able to compost your floss and reuse your Harper jar so you have zero-waste.

Tell us about the auto refill system.

Every two months we’ll send you a new set of spools to keep you flossing. Receiving refills on a regular basis has the effect of reminding you to keep going. Unscrew the top of the jar, pop in the refill and screw the lid back on. That’s it!.

Personal question: how often do you floss your teeth?!

After breakfast, lunch and dinner. Kidding! I’m not dental-floss crazy. I just floss once a day before bed, unless I’ve just eaten corn, raspberries or celery.

harperfloss.com

Win! 1 of 3 Three-Month Subscriptions To Harper!

We have three winners! Congratulations Janette V., Heather R. and Christine G., who will each receive a three-month subscription to Harper!