Go to Balloon FAQ's / Go to Inflation Tips / Go to Helium Life
Have a balloon questions? Curious about inflation? We have all the information you could have need or want!
- Tell me about your balloons! What are they made from?
- How will my balloons arrive?
- How long will my balloons last with helium?
- How should I store my balloons?
- Where do I get my balloons inflated?
- Why won’t my helium balloons float?
- Can I put helium in a mini balloon?
- Helium is expensive! Are there any other options?
- What’s the story with confetti balloons? Why won’t the confetti stick?
- Can foil balloons be filled with air or helium?
- We would like organise a balloon release. Can you help us?
- How do I dispose of balloons thoughtfully?
Tell me about your balloons! What are they made from?
Our latex balloons are made from the highest quality 100% latex. For more information about the biodegradability of our balloons please see here.
Our foil balloons are made from mylar.
How will my balloons arrive?
Your balloons will be shipped to you flat. If you are local to our Flagship store in Hawthorn you can choose to pick up your balloons inflate. Check out our Inflation Station for more details.
How long will my balloons last with helium?
Good question! Check our super informative ‘how long will balloon float with helium?’ chart here.
How should I store my balloons?
If you are buying your balloons for an event in the near future we suggest storing them away from light and heat. Latex balloons are biodegradable and therefore sensitive to both these elements. Poppies For Grace packaged latex products will be labelled with a packaged date and we recommend using latex balloons within 12 months of packaging date.
Where do I get my balloons inflated?
We suggest contacting your local balloon or party shop to check but most stores will fill balloons bought from elsewhere.
Why won’t my helium balloons float?
The main reason balloons won’t float is because not enough helium has been added. Check our ‘how long will balloon float with helium?’ chart for a good indicator.
Another reason your balloon is struggling is you may have added too much weight to your balloon with fun tassels and decorations. Standard balloons won’t float with any decorations added and you should only add light weight options to larger balloons.
Can I put helium in a mini balloon?
Nope! Sorry to say that mini balloons were not designed to be filled with helium.
Helium is expensive! Are there any other options?
Helium can be pricey - but don’t you worry! It is not the only option for making your party look magical. You can try hanging balloons from the ceiling or instead go for one our balloon garlands that do not require helium.
What’s the story with confetti balloons? Why won’t the confetti stick?
Confetti will not stick to the sides of your balloon without static and unfortunately helium does not create static. We suggest that you pop in some air first (about a basketball worth for a jumbo balloon, a tennis ball for a standard balloon). To create static rub the inflated balloon with your hand & roll the balloon for the confetti to stick. This process may need to be repeated during your event. Bear in mind we cannot guarantee the confetti will stick when inflating with helium.
Also, remember that confetti in balloons will affect the float time when filled with helium. Check our ‘how long will balloon float with helium?’ for more details.
We recommend blowing all confetti balloons up with a balloon pump. This will avoid moisture going into the balloon.
Can foil balloons be filled with air or helium?
Some foil balloons can only be filled with air – you find these details on the product page. To fill a foil balloon with air insert a straw and blow! And the super fun thing is that sometimes you are able to reuse these balloons! It doesn’t always work but you can try carefully inserting a straw into the balloon past the self-sealing valve. This will release the air so you can flatten the balloon and put it away until next time.
We would like organise a balloon release. Can you help us?
Balloons released into the environment via helium releases or otherwise can find their way into our oceans. Water will slow down the breakdown of the latex and that means they can have a negative impact on the environment including posing a threat to wildlife. For that reason we do not condone the release of helium balloons, or the use of balloons outdoors on windy days.
How do I dispose of balloons thoughtfully?
Gold star for you! This is a great question. So the party is over and clean up has began - but what do you do with your latex balloons? It is super simple! Your first option - leave them up and keep the party going! Latex balloons can last for a long time so keep that garland up and enjoy them for as long as you like!
If it really is time to tidy up, cut your balloons down and pop them. Latex balloons will completely decompose over time so you can safely dispose of them in your household waste where they will decompose in landfill. Discard of broken balloons immediately.
If you have mylar or foil balloons, try and reuse them where you can. See above for more details.
If you need more information on balloons and the environment check out some further thoughts here.
To float or to not float, that is the question.
Most balloons can be filled with helium or air, simply check the instructions provided or on the product page for details. Some balloons can only be filled with air due to their size (like mini latex and foil balloons), and some balloons are not designed for helium (like balloon garlands).
First tip! When inflating balloons with air, use a balloon pump or air compressor! Seriously - do! You can thank us later.
Second tip. Do not use your mouth to blow up confetti balloons. The condensation caused by your breath will do weird things to the confetti. You don't want that. Use a balloon pump or inflate with helium.
Tip number three. Mini latex and foil balloons can only be filled with air. They are too teeny tiny to take enough helium to make them float. They are an air only situation.
Tip four is a good one - you might want to bookmark it. How do you get that confetti to stick in the balloon?! Confetti will not stick to the sides of your balloon without static and unfortunately helium does not create static. We suggest that you pop in some air first (about a basketball worth for a jumbo balloon, a tennis ball for a standard balloon). To create static rub the inflated balloon with your hand & roll the balloon for the confetti to stick. This process may need to be repeated during your event. Bear in mind we cannot guarantee the confetti will stick when inflating with helium because we can't control science.
Also, remember that confetti in balloons will affect the float time when filled with helium.
Check our ‘how long will balloon float with helium?’ for more details.
Tip five is all about those mini foil balloons (like a cake toppers).
If you are blowing up your mini number or letter balloon follow these instructions for the best result: To start, find a friend!
To blow up your balloon you will need a balloon pump. If you really want to forge ahead without a balloon pump, you can use a straw, however you may not be able to achieve the same inflation.
One of you blows up the balloon, the other pinches the end once it is inflated. Twist, twist & twist again, then knot. Please note as they are small balloon they do not need much air.
If using this method we recommend inflating the balloon on the day of your event. Air will very slowly leak from the knot. Depending on your skills, the balloon will stay inflated for 2 days to 2 months.
Tips six and seven are all about helium, baby.
The time helium filled balloons will float is dependant on how they are handled, transported and weather. Helium is sensitive to temperature so avoid extreme heat & extreme cold. We strongly recommend inflating with helium as close to your event as possible.
Tip eight is all about jumbo balloons.
When you are inflating a good trick is that a doorframe is approximately 90cm, so that is the size you are aiming for. You will start inflating, and inflating, and inflating and you will think that the balloon is going to to burst, but keep going! You are doing fine! Don't go bigger than an average doorframe (even go a little less if you are worried) and you will be great!
We have lots of helium tips and tricks available below.
Oh, Helium.
Helium is a naturally produced gas that has a lower density than oxygen - which is why it floats. Isn't science fun?!
Helium is sensitive to temperature so we suggest keeping your balloons away from extreme heat & extreme cold. Our latex balloons are made from natural rubber so over time the helium escapes, the balloons will become smaller and start to lose their ability to float. We recommend inflating your balloons as close to the start time of your event as possible.
For an estimate on how long balloons will float with helium please see our super helpful 'How long will my balloon float with helium' chart:
Please note these are conservative estimates and we do not take responsibility for helium float times. We strongly suggest inflating balloons with helium as close to your event as possible.
WARNING: Balloons are not toys. Children can choke or suffocate on non-inflated or broken balloons. Adult supervision is required. Keep non-inflated balloons away from children, and discard broken balloons immediately.
PLEASE NOTE: Balloons are fragile. We use the highest quality latex balloon available, however please use great care when inflating. If you are concerned please order extra balloons for your event. We do not offer refunds on balloons.