What's the cause for my balloons to deflate?

I made a double flower cluster one morning using 9" Qualatex balloons. I inflated them using a handpump and by evening I noticed 3 of the balloons started airing down. What am I doing wrong?

ANSWER

Air filled latex balloons should normally stay inflated for days or even weeks. So I am not sure what happened in your case, especially as you used a high quality brand like Qualatex.

Were the balloons new? Or did you have them at home for some time? Balloons should always be stored in air-tight containers, in a dark and dry location. Otherwise the latex might get porous.

One other factor that could have contributed to the deflation is the temperature. In cold environments, the air contracts, thus making the balloon shrink.

If you worked indoors, at normal room temperature and with new balloons, then I really don't know why the balloons deflated. As only 3 of them lost air, those ones could have simply been flawed.

Hope that helps,
Margit