| In warm weather, latex balloons will typically only last | | | | work. |
| outside for a day. As you know, sun, wind and heat | | | | 9) While Hi-Float is used to make balloons float |
| will biodegrade the latex. | | | | longer, it is not generally meant for outside use. If |
| With that said, however, there are tricks you can do | | | | you want your balloons to float longer outside, you |
| to raise your odds of getting them to last more than | | | | should plan on doing daily touch-up work to your |
| a day outside. | | | | balloon arrangements. Be sure to include this in your |
| 1) Use only high quality balloons like Qualatex. I've also | | | | budget. |
| heard that some people have used Bellatex and Tilly | | | | 10) Balloons simply will not last outdoors overnight. As |
| balloons with some success. Quality makes a huge | | | | the cold air shrinks the balloons and then they |
| difference. | | | | expand in the sun the next day, they will pop like |
| 2) Avoid using latex balloons whenever possible. | | | | crazy. This can be avoided by simply bringing all |
| After a few days outside, we have seen them | | | | balloons indoors in the evening. |
| completely disintegrate when touched. | | | | 11) Use white balloons as much as possible. They |
| 3) Qualatex' Polyurethane Duo balloons are designed | | | | reflect the sun and fade less. |
| for outdoor use. They will last longer and look better | | | | 12) Avoid darker balloons. They will absorb heat and |
| for extended outdoor use than any latex or foil | | | | pop faster. If you need darker colors in your balloon |
| balloon. They are a bit more pricey but can really | | | | decor, use ribbons to accent in a darker color. |
| take away the headache of shrinking and | | | | 13) Keep in mind that extreme heat speeds up the |
| disintegrating balloons. For larger Duo balloons like 18", | | | | balloon leakage process. So, in temperatures close to |
| it may be cost effective to rent them. The Duo | | | | 100 degrees, the helium will escape much faster, |
| balloons can also be used to leverage small latex | | | | drastically reducing float time. If you can find a way |
| balloons. Underinflate your smaller latex balloons and | | | | to shade balloons, it can slow the process, |
| use the lift power of the big balloon to raise them. | | | | somewhat. |
| 4) Always underinflate to allow balloons to expand | | | | 14) Do not use water to cool down balloons. As the |
| when absorbing heat. We've found the method that | | | | water dries on the latex, it becomes slightly sticky. |
| works best is to over-inflate the balloon and then | | | | Balloons can stick together causing them to pop as |
| release air until the balloon is slightly underinflated. This | | | | balloons they expand in the heat. |
| helps the balloon to breathe and expand more easily, | | | | 15) Mylar foil balloons last longer outdoors than latex. |
| and it is not as brittle. Underinflating does little good | | | | Just allow for normal expansion and shrinkage. The |
| unless you overinflate first. | | | | downside is that in the hot sun the foil will not hold |
| 5) Use balloons two sizes larger than you would | | | | its color or sheen. There will be a noticable difference |
| normally use. | | | | by the end of the day. |
| 6) Inflating balloons with the same temperature air as | | | | 16) Whenever possible, use some kind of framework |
| they will encounter outdoors can actually help to | | | | to give your balloon decor structure that can |
| retain their shape better. | | | | withstand wind and heat. This can also be helpful for |
| 7) Helium does not work well outdoors in the heat. If | | | | helium-filled balloons that will lose float time in the |
| you need to use helium-filled latex, try to use large | | | | heat. |
| balloons like 24" and inflate to only around 16". Over- | | | | 17) We've found that if balloons are going to pop in |
| inflate with air first, release the air and then re-inflate | | | | the heat and sun, the will usually do so within the |
| with helium. You don't want to waste your helium | | | | first hour. So, you'll have a pretty good indication of |
| when you pre-inflate. | | | | whether it will work if you set up early. |
| 8) After your balloons are inflated, consider applying a | | | | While it can be difficult to do balloon decor outdoors |
| product called "Balloon Shine." It can protect your | | | | in the heat, it is certainly not impossible. Just use the |
| latex balloons from the sun's UV rays. It's best to | | | | above tips to greatly improve your odds. |
| experiment with this days before to see if it will | | | | |