BALLOON INFO & TIPS

Balloons are made from a natural rubber product extracted from the sap of rubber trees. It is collected by making a small cut into the tree’s bark, then catching the sap in a cup. Latex harvesting doesn’t “hurt” the tree! Rubber trees grow in rain forests and the latex harvesting discourages deforestation because the latex-producing trees are left intact. These trees can produce latex for about 35 years. The continuing demand for latex balloons ensures the survival of the rubber tree and provides economic incentive for planting instead of cutting down these trees.

Latex Balloons are 100% biodegradable, which can decompose as fast as an oak leaf in your garden.

A1 Balloons & Hire do not support or condone the deliberate release of balloons into the environment. We ask that you please dispose of balloons by deflating/popping them and placing them and the ribbons into the bin once you are finished with them.

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We use premium quality balloons to maximise float time however for balloons to look their best throughout your whole event we encourage you to collect them within a few hours prior to the start time of the party/event. Therefore you will get the most out of your balloons.

We offer local delivery to surrounding suburbs and whilst we try and accommodate your request for a certain delivery time we usually require a 2-3 bracket. Our Saturday delivery times are between 9am to 12pm or afternoon 12pm to 3pm.

Helium balloons delivered on Saturday will not be suitable for a Sunday function unless the HI FLOAT option is selected.

Foil Balloons DO NOT require HI FLOAT, and will last 5+ days dependant on the environment.

TRANSPORTING & storing BALLOONS

Balloons are placed in plastic bags for the purpose of transporting balloons safely and not for storage for long periods of time.

Remove balloons from transport bag as soon as possible.
Keep balloons in bag no more than 60 minutes total.
Place Hi-float treated balloons in bag only while transporting.
* Extended time in the bag will result in a reduced float time.

TEMPERATURES:
Try to keep balloons at a consistent temperature.
Balloons can shrink or expand due to temperature variations.

HOT WEATHER:
Keep balloons in a cool location.
If placing balloons in a hot vehicle, cool the car using the air conditioner before putting balloons inside vehicle. This will avoid them from popping.

COLD WEATHER:
Keep balloons in a warm location (not in a garage or cold room).
If placing balloons in a cool vehicle, warm the car slightly before putting balloons inside.

Balloon Sizes & Color Chart - Bubble Moo Balloons

WHAT IS HI-FLOAT?

HI-FLOAT balloon treatment is a solution of a plastic material dissolved in water. It forms a coating inside latex balloons that greatly reduces helium loss. With ULTRA HI-FLOAT, helium balloons can be prepared a day ahead of time, and balloons will float for several days.

HI-FLOAT is very safe. It is nontoxic, non-irritating, noncorrosive, nonflammable and biodegradable. It is similar to the glue on the back of postage stamps.

HOW LONG WILL BALLOONS FLOAT WHEN TREATED WITH HI-FLOAT?

When used properly, ULTRA HI-FLOAT increases the floating life of latex balloons by up to 25 times, on average.

The following table shows typical floating times for various sizes of balloons:

Latex Balloon Size	Latex Balloon Type	*Average Flying Time (Helium Only)**	Average Flying Time *(ULTRA HI-FLOAT)**
11 inches	STANDARD COLORS	12-15 hours	5-7 days
11 inches	METALLIC OR PEARL	10-15 hours	3-5 days
17 inches	ROUND	30+ hours	2-3 weeks
18 inches	ROUND	36+ hours	3-4 weeks
24 inches	ROUND	2-4 days	4-6 weeks
3feet/90cm	GIANT	3-5 days	6-10 weeks

To achieve these float times balloons must be kept indoors, in a climate controlled location

Please remember that these are estimates based on typical indoor conditions, and following all instructions. Float times will be shorter outdoors. Float times vary greatly based on factors such as latex quality, humidity, temperature, altitude, etc. Balloons typically float for half as long in hot, humid weather. For maximum float life, hand-tie balloons.

IS HI-FLOAT SAFE?

Yes. HI-FLOAT is nontoxic, nonirritating, noncorrosive, nonflammable and biodegradable. It is very similar to the adhesive found on the back of postage stamps. Simply wash it off of skin with water. If the product is accidentally splashed into the eyes, flush the eyes with water for several minutes. Although HI-FLOAT is nontoxic, it is a good idea to keep bottles away from small children.

HOW VARYING WEATHER TEMPERATURES AFFECT HELIUM BALLOONS

Please Note - Helium is sensitive to temperature changes. Cold air causes the helium to shrink, which makes the balloon appear to deflate, although it still floats. Heat can cause the helium to expand and the balloon to burst. Therefore, the best place to store a helium balloon is a cool, dark room absent of wind and out of direct sunlight or heat.

Sun, together with wind and heat, will biodegrade the latex. That's why latex balloons won't last long if you use them outdoors. The first sign of the degradation is that the balloons oxidize, i.e. they lose their shine and start looking dull, as if they had a thin white layer over their initial color.

High or heavy humidity is another enemy of helium balloons. The moisture in the air sits on the balloon and weights it down. Humidity will decrease the float time. Please keep balloons away from windows and doors and try and keep them in an even temperature of approx 25 degrees.

When picking your balloons up from us on a hot day please ensure you keep the car cooled to avoid them bursting in high temperatures.

Hanging Photos from Balloons

Please note if you wish to hang photographs/pictures from helium balloons, to create a floating effect, we would suggest you use clusters of to 2-3 Helium Balloons to support the weight over the duration of the event. Please contact us about using 45cm, 60cm, 75cm or 90 cm balloons to ensure your photos look amazing floating from the ceiling for the duration of your event. A single 30cm helium balloon will not support a photograph/picture adequately over a sustained duration of time.

Care for your balloons

Helium filled balloons float because they are filled with helium gas which a harmless inert gas and does not affect the ozone layer.

LATEX BALLOONS
Please take care of your balloons for maximum enjoyment. Latex balloons can be easily punctured so keep them from sharp objects – not just pins and scissors, but sharp corners on furniture and car doors, and rough areas such as trees and bushes, brick and stone walls. Static can also make balloons burst. If possible don't place them near computers, TVs etc.

Temperature Changes
The effect of heat and cold is less noticeable in latex balloons than with foil balloons, but the gas is still expanding and contracting with the temperature. Cold will also make the latex brittle. High humidity will also affect the balloons. Keeping the balloons in an even temperature will prolong their life.

Float time
The larger the balloon the longer it will float as it holds more gas. The length of time a latex balloon will float will depend on several factors so we can never state categorically that it will float for a certain time. Latex is a natural product produced by rubber trees so is subject to inherent variations in the same way as you can't explain why some flowers in a bunch will last longer than others. Balloons will gradually deflate. The gas starts to escape from the balloons immediately but you shouldn't notice any difference for several hours. We use premium quality 28-30cm balloons which are at their best for about 12 hours. Coating the balloon with Hi-float will enable them to float for 4 days or more. They will still be shrinking, but will take much longer over it.

Using balloons outdoors
If you use your balloons outside, you have to accept they might not last very long. Not only is the temperature variable, but there's wind and rain to contend with. Just a few raindrops will make a balloon droop and the wind can whip the balloon against a wall or tree before you know it. If you want to tie the balloons to a fence or similar, we recommend that you tie them so that they are not floating, then the wind is not going to blow them about. All latex balloons will gradually oxidise (lose their shine and become dull). This will happen more quickly outdoors. Latex is a natural product and degrades at about the same rate as an oak leaf.

Summary
For maximum enjoyment, keep your latex balloons:
• away from sharp or rough objects,
• away from any source of heat,
• away from static,
• in an even temperature,
• indoors.

FOIL BALLOONS

Although foil balloons look much tougher than latex balloons, they're not really. They can be easily punctured so keep them away from sharp objects – not just pins and scissors, but sharp corners on furniture and car doors, and rough areas such as trees and bushes, brick and stone walls.

Static can also make balloons burst. If possible don't place them near computers, TVs etc.

Temperature changes
The helium in the balloons reacts to temperature so if you take them to a cooler place, the gas contracts making the balloons 'soft' and if to a hotter place the gas will expand. If they get too hot, the expanding gas will cause the seams to split and the balloon to burst, so don't put them in a sunny window on a hot day or near heat sources such as fires, light bulbs, candles and cookers or they will burst.

Soft balloons normally revert to their original state when taken back into the warm if the difference in temperature has not been too great or too prolonged.

Keeping the balloons in an even temperature will prolong their life.

Float time
Foil balloons that have not been damaged or subject to big temperature changes, float and look at their best for 4 or 5 days, then gradually deflate over a couple of weeks. The bigger the balloon, the longer it will last (purely because it has more helium in it).

Using Balloons outdoors
If you use your balloons outside, you have to accept they might not last very long. Not only is the temperature variable, but there's wind and rain to contend with. Just a few raindrops will make a balloon droop and the wind can whip the balloon against a wall or tree before you know it.

Foil balloons should NEVER be released outdoors; they are NOT biodegradable and they can short power lines. The ribbon is a particular hazard to animals.

Summary
For maximum enjoyment, keep your foil balloons:
• away from sharp or rough objects,
• away from any source of heat,
• away from static,
• in an even temperature,
• indoors.