How long will a helium balloon float?
A great deal of this depends on the size of the balloon as well as the material it’s made from. A standard 11″ balloon bought from a typical party store will float from 12 to 16 hours. A decorator grade 11″ balloon will float from 20 to 24 hours. However, special chemicals can be added to extend the float life of your balloons. In the hot summer months an 11″ balloon can float from 3 – 4 days, while in the winter months that same balloon can float from 2 – 3 weeks. 18″ foil balloons can float anywhere from a few days to several weeks, depending on how well the valve is sealed. Smaller balloons such as 9″ latex only have a float life around 6 hours total, while larger balloons such as the 3′ can float for as long as a day or two without chemical treatment. However, just because a balloon can float for 12 to 16 hours doesn’t mean you will like the way it looks within that time frame. As a balloon loses helium, it shrinks in size, becoming less attractive in the process. This is why we li
