If you're new to foil orb balloons then you may be a little daunted. They're not like regular latex balloons, they're better! At first they can be a little fiddly but you soon get used to filling them. You can fill them with either air or helium. This article will explain how to fill them with air.
What equipment do you need to fill a foil balloon?
In order to fill a foil balloon you will either need a hand pump or alternatively an electric air pump. Personally, we're not fans of the air pump as it generally struggles to build up the right amount of pressure. As such, we prefer the hand pump - it's a little more effort but much better results.
Filling your foil balloon using a hand pump
Here's how to hand pump your foil balloons with air:
Every foil balloon has an in-built valve system. You don't need to tie off these balloons as you would with an ordinary latex balloon. For the balloons that we sell the valve is the orange plastic slip at the base of the balloon stem.
Carefully insert the end of the balloon pump under the orange slip (but above the silver bit). Then, slowly work the balloon onto the end of the balloon pump. The main reason to be careful is that you don't want to damage the valve. If you force it open or stretch it you can end up creating a small air hole in the valve and your balloon won't stay inflated for as long. Note that an air filled foil ballon can stay fully inflated for up to a month if undamaged.
Once you've worked the balloon stem onto the pump then hold the balloon stem and pump head together in one hand, and slowly pump the hand pump with the other. You should hear a small pop after a couple of pumps. This tells you that the valve is open.
Continue to pump air into the balloon and be patient - foil balloons can sometimes look a little square until fully inflated.
Pump until your balloon looks round. You may notice some horizontal creases on the balloon seams. Slowly pump a few more times until the creases vanish. Do not inflate any further as this can cause too much strain on the seams and your balloon will pop.
Voila - your perfectly inflated foil balloon!