Our Guarantee
Our Balloon Guarantee
A bit of Science:
As helium molecules heat they start moving and expanding, this movement puts pressure on a latex balloon and can cause it to expand and pop. On a hot day this movement will also speed up the float time of your balloon and significantly reduce it. On the opposite spectrum; when helium molecules get cold, they shrink which makes balloons, especially foils and mylar balloons appear underinflated. Be assured, once the balloons re-enter your warm car or home the molecules will re-expand and your balloons will look good as new. If left in the cold too long, the balloon may struggle to go back to “perfection”.
Balloon Float Times:
On average, our balloons float for the following amount of time. We do not guarantee these float times as a number of factors can reduce this number. However - we do guarantee they’ll float for a full 48 hours. If they sink within that 48 hour time frame, please message us so we can issue you a replacement.
Standard Size 11”: 2-4 days days
18” : 4-7 days
24” round: up to 4-7 days
3 foot round: 1-2 weeks
Mylar/Foils: 5+ days and up to 2 weeks
All of our latex balloons are hifloated for free to optimize their float life.
Please note, any balloons stuffed with confetti or mini balloons will greatly lessen the float time due to the added weight. These balloons are guaranteed to float for 24 hours.
We recommend picking up your balloons no earlier than the evening before or day of your event.
Balloons and Cars:
It is very important to get your balloons home or to your event as soon as possible. Balloons can pop when exposed to hot metal objects such as awnings, the outside of the car or seatbelt parts. We recommend turning on air conditioning to allow for the temperature of the car to come down before placing balloons into the car. Do not leave car unattended while it’s turned on. If air conditioning is not available, you may want to open your doors and allow the car to ‘air out’ for a few minutes. Traveling with your windows “partially” down so there is a cross breeze can be helpful. Balloons may escape if the window/s are opened too far. NOTE: Helium expands in the heat. Warm or hot temperatures can bring balloons down faster than their proper float time and may result in popping.
DO NOT TO PUT BALLOONS INTO A HOT CAR OR LEAVE BALLOONS IN A HOT PARKED CAR.
Balloons and the Wind:
Make sure your balloons are secured in your hands (we even suggest hugging those jumbo balloons) as they are being placed in a car. Yanking a balloon into the car in the opposite direction of the wind can cause your balloon to pop or tear due to the force. No. We do not replace balloons for free if they blow away.
Balloons and Ceiling:
It is very rare to find an actual flat ceiling. Certain materials (such as stucco, sound board, rough ceiling, cedar, sprinkler nozzles halogen lighting, etc.) may cause balloons to pop. Regular light bulbs may not pop balloons. If you are not sure if your balloons will pop on your ceiling, get a sample balloon and let it go to the ceiling several times in several spots. This will help alleviate wasted time and money guessing if the effect will work.
Bagged Balloons:
Bags should be used for transportation only and balloons should be in the bag for no longer than an hour or so. Extended periods of time in bags can reduce the balloon float time. We recommend purchasing a bag from us for $0.80. We do not guarantee balloons if they are not bagged for transportation.
Mylar Balloons:
It is possible to re-use most foil balloons but we cannot guarantee that it will work every time as they are fairly delicate but it is worth a try. Expel the air from your balloon by inserting a long straw quite a distance into the self sealing valve, the air will then start to come out and you can flatten and fold your balloon.
Latex Balloons:
As latex balloons are biodegradable, it is normal that they (all colors and clear) oxidize and become cloudy over time as they degrade. Heat, sun and high humidity can accelerate this process. Latex balloons are not reusable. If your balloons are for an outdoor party, don’t bring them out until the last minute. That way they look fresh.
Floating Time:
Typically a standard 11” latex balloon will last at least 48 hours and up to 5+ days depending on heat and humidity. Exposure to warm temperatures can reduce the float time. Foil balloons generally last a week and sometimes more. Unlike latex balloons, mylar balloons hate the cold. If you have a mylar in air conditioning or a cold place, for a period of time, it WILL slowly deflate on you.
* Hi-Float is safe, nontoxic, water soluble and biodegradable used to extend the float time of latex balloons. *
Avoid Sunlight
Heat and sunlight act like kryptonite to balloons. Storing your balloons in a cool place can do wonders for making them last much longer than they would otherwise. For foil balloons, try to maintain a consistent temperature so they won’t be shocked and damaged by the fluctuations.
Heat Sensitivity
If you are throwing an all-day outdoor party or weekend event, you will want to take extra precautions to preserve your balloons. Helium molecules expand when exposed to heat, and this continual increase of heat and pressure from the molecules moving about may lead to noisy and disruptive balloon popping. You may be tempted to throw some water on them to cool them off, but that can actually cause them to stick together and pop as well. Instead, stick with light coloured balloons since they won’t heat up as fast as their dark counterparts would. Also, bring them indoors at the end of the day so they are not left out all night. As the temperature drops, the balloons will shrink and when they become enlarged the next morning it may lead to popping. We cannot guaranteed balloons used outdoors.
Pet Precautions:
If you live with pets, store your balloons in a room that they cannot access. When your puppy pals and feline friends are left to their own devices, they will have a ball playing with the strings and potentially puncturing the balloon itself. Keep balloons away to help you furry friends’ safety too, since they could get caught in the strings or ingest the popped balloon. Same for young children: Keep them away from balloons and strings too.
Inflating Outside Balloons:
We do not guarantee balloons that are not purchased from My Little Party and if they are defective or burst during or after inflation, you will still be charged the full amount for inflating that balloon. We can not speak to the quality of balloons purchased from outside suppliers and can not speculate as to how long they will float. The price for inflating balloons from another supplier will vary depending on the size of the balloons. Please bring your balloons to our shop for an accurate price quote. We reserve the right to refuse inflation of any balloons if deemed necessary.
Outside The Shop:
Please be aware that while not a conclusive list, the following things/events can pop your balloon and/or affect your balloon’s float time: Doorways, awnings, cars, metal, sharp surfaces, pointy things, hot surfaces, letting go of the balloon (either intentionally or by mistake), the weather (rain, snow, hail, wind,).
Please maintain constant awareness of surroundings outside our shop.
If Nothing Else:
Do not breathe helium from a balloon. Helium is not toxic, nor flammable, but breathing it can result in asphyxiation (loss of consciousness due to insufficient oxygen). Do not release foil balloons outdoors. Power failures can result if these balloons become entangled in electric lines. Popped latex balloons present a choking hazard for small children. Do not leave small children unaccompanied with balloons.
NO CHILD UNDER THE AGE OF 8 YEARS OLD SHOULD BE LEFT ALONE WITH LATEX BALLOONS. HELIUM REPLACES THE OXYGEN IN YOUR LUNGS AND CAN CAUSE A PERSON TO FAINT, AND IN SMALL CHILDREN, CAN CAUSE SUFFOCATION.
Our Policy:
While we use the highest quality balloons, and take every precaution necessary with your balloons to ensure they last through your event, once the balloons leave our door they are out of our control and thus care is within your hands. Popped-Balloon Insurance (PBI) is available from our shop for a nominal fee either at the time of order placement or when being picked up. This is a great option for a very special event. Please enquire about PBI if you are concerned about the heat or wind.
There are no free balloon replacement for popped balloons without PBI. Popped balloons are 100% of the time due to stress (sharp object, improper care).
If your balloons SINK within 48 hours, we will replace those balloons for free. However, if these balloons sink due to being outdoors (and we will know ) - there is no free replacement.