Are you planning to decorate your home all balloony? Then you must have considered helium balloons. If so, do you know how long do helium balloons last? This question is important because these balloons come in two different types: latex and foil. In this article, you’ll learn everything you need to know about helium balloons so you can pick the best kind according to your event length.
Merry celebrations seem incomplete without balloons. If you’re a kid at heart, your face is sure to light up as soon as you see balloons. They are usually one of the core memories growing up.
If you’re using helium balloons inside a room or car, they can stay afloat for relatively a longer period. Whereas, they can droop faster when used at outdoor spots. Nevertheless, this tenure is affected by 3 primary factors which are as follows:
- Humidity: The amount (or percentage) of moisture in the air.
- Temperature: The temperature and seasonal changes can affect how long do helium balloons last.
- Balloon Size & Shape: The size and shape of a balloon also impacts its stability.
Let’s explore how these factors affect helium balloon floating time in detail. But first, let’s know why helium balloons droop over time.
Why Do Helium Balloons Droop After Some Time?
No matter which helium balloon you’re using, it’ll droop after some time because helium eventually escapes from the balloon.
This loss of helium gas from balloon pores results in its drooping. This is natural and sure to happen. However, you can control how long these balloons last depending on some factors that we’ll discuss in a while.
How Long Do Helium Balloons Last: Latex Balloons
Latex helium balloons are the most typically used balloons. They are made of the following types of polymer: rubber, neoprene, latex, and chloroprene. These balloons generally last for 8 to 12 hours. However, they can last longer if hi-float (a solution applied to latex balloons that makes them last longer).
Factors affecting how long do latex helium balloons last:
| S. NO. | FACTORS | EFFECT ON HELIUM BALLOON |
| 1 | Humidity | On rainy days, the float time of helium balloons can shorten due to high humidity. |
| 2 | Temperature | If too hot or too cold, the float time of helium balloons can shorten up. |
| 3 | Balloon Size & Shape | Big helium balloons last longer. |
| 4 | Hi-Float | Helium balloons last longer if hi-float is applied. |
As for how long do helium balloons last with hi-float, it depends on their size and shape. Nevertheless, such balloons can multiple times longer than those without hi-float.
How Long Do Helium Balloons Last: Foil Balloons
Foil balloons are made of BoPET, a particular type of polyester, and are also called ‘mylar balloons.’
Usually, foil helium balloons last for 3 to 5 days. Furthermore, it depends on several factors which include:
| S. NO. | FACTORS | EFFECT ON HELIUM BALLOON |
| 1 | Humidity | High humidity levels can negatively affect the floating time of helium balloons. |
| 2 | Temperature | These balloons last longer in moderate temperatures. |
| 3 | Balloon Size & Shape | Bigger the balloon size and dimensions, the longer it’ll last. |
How Does Temperature Affect Helium Balloons?
The temperature of the environment around the balloon affects how long it’ll last in different manners:
- Too Cold: If the temperature of the place the balloons are placed in is too cold, the helium contracts, and the balloons become short from shrinking. Similarly, humidity can drop the temperature, due to which balloons can droop sooner.
- Too Hot: In too-hot temperatures, the helium inside balloons starts to expand due to pressure, especially the dark-colored ones. This expansion eventually leads the balloons to pop.
For this reason, helium balloons should be placed at a moderate temperature, neither too cold nor too hot.
How To Increase the Float Time Of Helium Balloons?
1) Use Hi-Float: It is a solution that can increase their afloat time when applied to latex helium balloons. It adds a protective layer to the balloon, making the helium diffusion slower and keeping the balloon afloat for longer.
But this solution can’t be used with foil balloons because they aren’t buoyant enough. Ultra hi-float solution is the most typically used solution in latex balloons and must be filled in an adequate amount after going through the user manual.
2) Control The Temperature: The temperature of a room, car, or outside affects how long do helium balloons last. That’s why if you can try controlling the temperature of the surroundings of the balloons, you can make them afloat longer. To do so, keep the temperature moderate (not too hot, not too cold).
3) Try To Go For Large Sizes: Buying large-sized balloons can be an exquisite way to keep them floating for longer.
Potential Risks Of Inhaling Helium Balloons
A Dreadful Trend Of Inhaling Helium: You must have come across a video in which people inhale helium from a balloon and then speak in a funny, cartoon-like voice. But this trend comes at the cost of life. Health experts say that helium hampers the supply of oxygen and can even rupture nerves if it gets into the body with too much pressure. It can induce a feeling of:
- Dizziness
- pain in chest
- Seizures
In certain cases, adults and kids have passed out from inhaling helium with strong pressure. If worst comes to worst, it can also affect the lungs and induce blood vomiting. Inhaling something harmful in the name of fun is, therefore, not a smart idea.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
#1 How Long Do Helium Balloons Last?
- Latex Balloons – last for an average of 8 to 12 hours (without treating with hi-float)
- Mylar/Foil Balloons- 3 to 7 days (less porous and hence trap the gas inside for longer)
However, it also depends on a number of factors which can alter this time.
#2 What Is The Difference Between Latex And Foil Balloons?
Polymer is used to make latex balloons, whereas foil balloons are made from PoBET. The former stays afloat for 8-12 hours in general, whereas the latter usually stays afloat for 3-5 days. In addition, the foil balloons are more shiny but can’t be treated with hi-float like latex balloons because of lack of buoyancy.
#3 What Is Hi-Float?
Hi-float is a chemical solution that is applied to latex balloons to keep them afloat for longer. The solution retains the helium inside the balloon for longer and thus helps it stay afloat for more time.
#4 How Long Do Helium Balloons Last With Hi-Float?
It has been observed that latex helium balloons last for an additional 48 to 72 hours with hi-float on. However, the shape of the balloon, temperature, and humidity can affect this time.
#5 Is Helium Safe To Inhale?
Only 5.2 ppm of helium is present in the atmosphere. However, inhaling large amounts of helium can create obstacles in the levels of blood oxygen. If inhaled with extreme pressure, it can cause several chronic diseases ranging from ruptured veins to collapsed lungs.
Wrapping Up
The growing craze around helium balloons for every celebration can be seen. This makes everyone wonder how long they would last. This depends on a number of factors, the major one being the type of balloon you are using. Furthermore, it depends on humidity levels, temperature, balloon size, shape, and whether hi-float is used or not.
