Helium - Float Times - Information Tab

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Description

The float time of helium filled balloons depends on a number of factors including size, balloon material, attachments, air temperature and whether you are using the balloons inside or outside.

Latex Balloons

The most popular latex balloons are 11 and 12 inch tear drop shaped varieties. Since latex is a porous material, helium begins to seep out from the moment the balloon is filled. We recommend inflating latex balloons with helium as close to the event as possible. As a rough guide, 11 inch balloons will float for around 8-10 hours whilst 12 inch balloons will float for around 12.

Displaying a balloons on a hot day outside, in a non temperature controlled indoor setting or leaving your balloons in a hot car will shrink them quickly. Extreme cold temperatures will shrink balloons or pop them. Latex balloons have a shelf life of about a year. After a year, more quickly if they are stored where they are exposed to light, the latex will become brittle or thin and they will pop easily during inflation or leak helium very quickly. Even newer balloons that are inexpensive and made out of thin latex will pop easily. Often we see them come out of the package with small pinholes in them or are so thin they leak. Buy your balloons from a local vendor or order Qualatex balloons online. Avoid balloons from dollar stores, Amazon and bulk supply stores that do not name the brand of balloons they sell.

Foil (Mylar) filled balloons stay afloat for days (sometimes weeks), so can be filled a day or so prior to an event. This is because the Mylar material does not allow the helium to escape as quickly as latex balloons. Float times vary between sizes and shapes of all balloons but the most common foil size is the 18 inch round balloon, which can stay looking fresh for around 3-5 days. Foil Supershapes are larger and can be filled with more helium, meaning they will stay inflated for weeks.

Most balloon attachments will reduce float times due to the additional extra weight. For instance, a hot air balloon net may look light but it will reduce the overall float time. Similarly, adding tassel garlands, balloon valves and filling balloons with confetti will also reduce float time.

Extending the float time:

Hi-Float is a product which can be used to extend float time of a latex balloon up to 25 times longer. It’s a gel that is pumped into the balloon (before inflation) coating the inside to prevent helium escaping so quickly. Only use hi float on latex balloons - never in plastic or Mylar balloons. It is available on our website for purchase under the 'sales Items" tab.