Do You Have to Use Helium in Foil Balloons?
No, you don’t have to use helium in foil balloons. While helium is commonly used because it makes the balloons float, you can also fill foil balloons with air. When filled with air, the balloons will not float but they can still be used for decorations. If you choose to use air, you can inflate them using a hand pump or an electric inflator.
When to Use Helium
If you need the balloon to float at that point, you should utilize helium. Weather balloons and airships need to float. The most commonly recognized balloons that are filled with helium are latex and foil/Mylar party balloons. For round heart-shaped or square foil balloons, the standard size is 18 inches.
Factors to Consider
Depends on what you want to use them for. To become a balloon, they will need some pressure, air, or water. To make them fly, you will need a fill that is lighter than its environment. In air, you can fill them with helium, hydrogen, or any other gas that will be lighter than air to make them fly.
Choosing the Right Gas for Your Balloons
If you want the foil balloon to float, you will need to fill it with helium. Otherwise, you can fill it with air. If you want to stick them to stage backdrops, walls, or hang them using threads, air filling should be enough.
Understanding Foil Balloons
Foil balloons look like shiny silver metal when plain, although they are often printed. Unlike latex balloons, foil balloons are not porous, so air does not leak out of them easily as long as they are properly sealed. Foil balloons are also not biodegradable as they are made from synthetic materials.
How Long Will a Foil Balloon Remain Floating When Inflated with Helium?
Our 17-inch foil balloons can float perfectly around 3-4 days before the balloon starts to deflate slightly. Our selection of 40-inch foil balloons will float perfectly around 10 days before the same process starts to happen. Both the 17-inch and 40-inch foil balloons will then last another 1-2 weeks in this condition and then progressively deflate further. Generally, 9-inch foil balloons are designed only to be inflated with air.
How Long Will a Foil Balloon Remain Inflated When Filled with Air?
When filled with air, the foil balloon will not float and will need a balloon cup and stick to hold the balloon up. The 17-inch and 40-inch foil balloons will remain inflated for approximately 1 month before it starts to deflate while the mini 9-inch foil balloons can remain inflated for approximately 2 years.
Available Sizes and Types of Foil Balloons
We sell small 9-inch, medium 14-inch, and large 40-inch foil balloons for every occasion, including birthdays, baby showers, Valentine's Day, and more. See the complete range here.