How to inflate and deflate balloons
All the balloons we sell at our store are sold uninflated, so you’ll need to inflate them yourself. Unlike
rubber balloons, these balloons are exceptional products that—if handled with care—can be inflated and deflated as many times as you like, just like a beach ball.
In addition, you can generally use the same method to deflate and reuse not only balloons purchased at our store, but also those bought at theme parks, concert venues, 100-yen shops, and other places.
This page explains how to inflate and deflate balloons, as well as precautions and storage methods.
- When inflating with air
- When inflating with helium
- How to Deflate
- Caution: Risk of Bursting Due to Temperature Changes
- Storage Instructions
When inflating with air
There is an inflation port at the bottom of the balloon (or sometimes on the side), so you can easily inflate it by inserting the included straw and blowing into it. You can also use a pump designed for swim rings or beach balls
. However, bicycle pumps are not suitable, as they can cause the balloon to burst.
Once the balloon is inflated, the valve closes automatically when you remove the straw, so there’s no need to tie it off or seal it with tape. This valve is delicate, so if the straw doesn’t go in easily, don’t force it—instead, insert it slowly while continuing to blow.
This video provides an easy-to-understand visual explanation of how to inflate and deflate a balloon.
When inflating with helium
The procedure is the same as for air, but please be careful of bursting since the balloons are pressurized. In particular, when using large cylinders, please adjust the pressure to 0.1 MPa or less using a regulator and inflate the balloons slowly. Balloons inflated
with helium deflate quickly, but this does not mean there is a hole in them. Anagram balloons are relatively slow to lose helium.
We recommend the affordable, high-quality helium gas from U-Plus Co., Ltd.
Helium-filled balloons can cause accidents if they come into contact with power lines, so please do not let them float away outdoors under any circumstances.。
How to Deflate
Insert the straw deeply into the filling port to open the valve, then gently press it with your hand to release the air. If you want to remove all the air, use your mouth or a vacuum cleaner to suck it out; this will allow you to fold it neatly without it bulging out, just as it did when you first bought it. If the
straw isn’t long enough, connect two straws together with tape or similar to extend it.
If you don't have a straw on hand, you can remove the air by rounding up a piece of paper—such as a brochure—into a straw-like shape and inserting it into the opening. Be sure to give this a try if you want to fold up and take home a balloon you received at a theme park or concert venue.
The method for deflating the balloon is explained in the video on how to inflate it, as well as toward the end of that video.
Caution: Risk of Bursting Due to Temperature Changes
Unlike rubber balloons, foil and film balloons do not stretch or contract, so if the air or gas inside expands, the pressure increases and the balloon will burst. Therefore, the trick is to leave them slightly loose rather than inflating them to the point where they’re rock-hard.
Especially in summer and winter, temperature fluctuations between day and night—as well as changes caused by air conditioning—cause them to repeatedly expand and contract. To prevent them from bursting, we recommend inflating them when the temperature is high, or letting out a little air to adjust the tension if they start to expand.
Storage Instructions
When storing them, make sure to deflate them completely, fold them neatly, place them in a folder or similar container, and store them in a cool, dark place. In my experience, birthday and seasonal balloons can often be reused for about three seasons.