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