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How Long Do Balloons Stay Inflated? (Helium, Air-Filled)

A party balloon can be inflated by air, oxygen, gas, helium, nitrous oxide, and hydrogen. There are many types of balloons, and in this article, we will discuss how long a balloon can stay inflated and the steps you should take to ensure it stays inflated for as long as possible.

Type of BalloonHow Long It Stays Inflated
FoilThree to five days
HeliumEight to twelve hours
Normal AirSeveral days to weeks

Let’s move forward. Below is a short guide on ensuring balloons stay inflated for a long time.

How to Make Balloons Stay Inflated for Longer?

  • Keep the balloons away from heat at all times and ensure they are in a cool environment. If exposed to heat, the latex balloon does not last more than eight hours.
  • Use a balloon inflator to fill the balloons. This will prolong the life of the balloons, ensuring they last a few more hours or days. The inflator works well with fourteen-inch balloons.
  • Before using the inflator, spray hi-float on the balloon; the spray will ensure the balloon lasts five days or more.
  • Ensure that the balloon is tied tightly. After filling the balloon with air, use a small ribbon or rope to tie the balloon as tightly as possible.

Will Helium Balloons Last Overnight?

Generally, helium balloons can last overnight. The next day, however, they will not last long, they might lose all the gas. To ensure that the helium balloon lasts longer, do this:

  • Avoid sunlight: Sunlight and heat are kryptonite for all types of balloons, so store the helium balloons in a cool place.
  • Keep the pets away: If you have pets like dogs, parrots, or cats, you will need to keep them away from the helium balloons. Store the balloons in a place where the pets cannot reach them.

how long do balloons stay inflated?

How to Make Air-Filled Balloons Last Longer?

Air-filled balloons are prone to deflating since they are fragile and cannot withstand heat. However, there are a few things you can do to protect your air-filled balloons from deflating and giving them a long life. Here is what you should do:

  • Take a large plastic bag, and put all your air-filled balloons in it. If possible, stretch out the balloons before inflating them by grabbing their sides and pulling them in opposite directions. Tie the bottom of the bag securely so that the balloons don’t escape.
  • Inflate the balloons, and tie them properly with a rope. At the end of the balloon, tie a knot. You can also use a ribbon to tightly secure the balloon.
  • You can also spray hairspray on the balloons, which will prevent the air from escaping the balloon.
  • Keep the balloons away from lights and sharp objects. The heat emitted by lights can destroy a balloon immediately. Sharp objects can puncture an air-filled balloon.

How Long Do Latex Balloons Last With Helium?

Type of Latex BalloonTime It Stays Inflated
Small Sizedaround 8 to 12 hours
Medium to Large Sizearound 1-3 days

Small sized latex balloons filled with helium last around 8 to 12 hours. Want to make it last longer? Use hi-float! That would make the balloons last for 24-36 hours! Larger sized latex balloons filled with helium will last around 1-3 days, and even more with hi-float.

How Long Can a Balloon Garland Stay Inflated?

A balloon garland is typically made of latex balloons. A typical balloon garland can last up to twelve hours to 48 hours.

However, garlands placed close to the doorways or entrances will not last long since they will be exposed to humidity and heat. To keep the garland from deflating, please take all the precautionary measures mentioned above.

How Long Do Letter Balloons Stay Inflated?

Normally, letter balloons do not last longer than three to five days. The typical diameter for letter balloons is 1.5 inches. Please take all the necessary precautions mentioned above to ensure that your letter balloons last as long as possible.

How Long Do Mylar Balloons Stay Inflated?

In an optimum environment with favorable conditions, Mylar balloons can last up to three to five days. However, these balloons can float for a fortnight or longer. Air-conditioned air can damage the balloons, but they can regain their size when exposed to warm air.

How Long Do Regular Balloons Stay Inflated?

Regular balloons are either filled with air or a type of gas such as helium. A regular balloon can last for eight to twelve hours. To ensure that the balloon stays inflated for as long as possible, you can spray it with hi-float. The hi-float spray will enhance the life of the balloon.

How Far in Advance Can I Make Balloon Decorations?

This largely depends on you and the event. Some people inflate their balloons two days in advance for a birthday party that will last three to four hours. Some professionals prepare air-filled columns three weeks in advance.

However, it is recommended that you should typically inflate balloons five days in advance. Once you are done inflating the balloons, you need to store them in a safe place for them.

Most people will take a large and clean plastic bag, put all their balloons in it, and then store it in a cool place.

However, you need to remember that if the balloons are not properly stored, they will lose their shiny surface, air, and oxide. You can also use large garbage bags to store your balloons.

 If you plan to make a balloon garland for a birthday party, you will need to start preparing the garland one to two days before the event. Please keep the garland indoors, as it will be exposed to heat and will lose all its air outside.

…More Questions

How Long Do Foil Balloons Last?

Foil balloons typically don’t last longer than three to five days.

How Long Do Balloon Arches Stay Inflated?

Typical balloon arches stay inflated for twelve hours or up to two days. Try to keep the arches away from heat and direct sunlight to enhance their lifespan.

How Long Do Helium Balloons Stay Inflated?

Helium balloons can typically last anywhere from two to five days. However, if you take all the safety precautions, these balloons can last longer.

How Long Do Balloons Stay Inflated with Normal Air?

Balloons that contain normal air can last up to eight weeks.

How Long Do Balloons Stay Inflated when Blown up By Mouth?

If you plan on inflating your balloons on your own, without a pump, then these balloons can also last six to eight weeks. However, we recommend using a pump, as it speeds up the process.

Wrapping Up

In this article, we thoroughly discussed balloons and discussed several types of balloons. We have discussed how long helium, foil, air, and letter balloons last.

We have also briefly discussed ways to ensure your balloons do not deflate. Please take all the necessary precautions, and keep your balloons indoors in a cool place.