3 Ways To Untie A Balloon - WikiHow

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Terms of Use wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Learn why people trust wikiHow How to Untie a Balloon PDF download Download Article Co-authored by Ahzahdeh Neshat

Last Updated: February 24, 2025

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  • Using a Fork or Needle
    • |
  • Untying Without Any Tools
    • |
  • Create a Temporary Knot
    • |
  • Video
    • |
  • Q&A
    • |
  • Things You'll Need
|Show more |Show less X

This article was co-authored by Ahzahdeh Neshat. Ahzahdeh Neshat is a Party Decorating Specialist and the Owner of Confetti & Sprinkles LLC based in Los Angeles, California. With over three years of experience, she specializes in creating extravagant balloon decor for parties and events. Ahzahdeh has created balloon decor for businesses such as MediaLab and Insomnia Cookies. This article has been viewed 152,017 times.

There are a few ways of untying your favorite balloons. For those who plan ahead, there are easier ways of preparing your balloon to be untied. Both amateur and professional balloon handlers pop balloons in this process. It'll take time to successfully master the untying process. Be patient and be prepared to pop a balloon or two.

Steps

Method 1 Method 1 of 3:

Using a Fork or Needle

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  1. Step 1 Inspect the knot. 1 Inspect the knot. Look closely at the balloon knot and find where it rolls over itself.
  2. Step 2 Pull out the bottom half of the knot. 2 Pull out the bottom half of the knot. You must be careful in this process. You want to be able to see the area where you'll be able to slide your fork into. Advertisement
  3. Step 3 Slide one of the fork prongs through the knot. 3 Slide one of the fork prongs through the knot. Unless the knot is super tight, it should slide through real easy.
    • Careful not to pierce the balloon at this stage.
  4. Step 4 Use a knitting needle. 4 Use a knitting needle. This works even better than a fork prong. Thick needles with a blunt, rounded point are the best. Moisten the needle a little bit by licking it for easier access.
    • The edge of a knitting needle is pointed enough to get into that tight little spot.[1]
    • But it is not sharp enough to pop the balloon.[2]
    • You can use it to loosen the knot and untie it.[3]
  5. Step 5 Pull the knot out. 5 Pull the knot out. Use either the needle or fork to roll the knot out. You can help by trying to push the knot while sliding it down.
  6. Step 6 Try again. 6 Try again. If it doesn't unroll the first time, slide it back up and repeat this process.
    7. Advertisement
Method 2 Method 2 of 3:

Untying Without Any Tools

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  1. Step 1 Position the balloon. 1 Position the balloon. Hold the balloon so the inflated portion is wedged into your lap. Secure the balloon gently but firmly using your thighs.
  2. Step 2 Inspect how the knot is formed. 2 Inspect how the knot is formed. Try to follow where the knot loops around itself. Visualize how the knot was formed.
  3. Step 3 Push and pull the knot. 3 Push and pull the knot. The ultimate process of loosening the knot is to push and pull various sides of the knot. Continue this until you are able to get part of the knot to yield.
    • Focus on particular loops of the knot when pushing and pulling. The goal is to loosen and grip a single strand of the knot.
  4. Step 4 Separate a strand with your finger. 4 Separate a strand with your finger. Lodge your fingernail into one of the loops. Try to get a secured grip of that particular loop. You'll need to work on loosening the knot for a while before you can secure a section of the knot.
    • This is easier if your fingernails are long.
  5. Step 5 Pick the connecting knot. 5 Pick the connecting knot. Once you grip a strand of the knot, locate its connecting loop. Using your other hand, pry out the folded loop underneath the other loop. By prying one loop of the knot with one hand, you should be able to loosen this part of the knot.[4]
  6. Step 6 Use your tooth to loosen the knot. 6 Use your tooth to loosen the knot. Once you've separated two loops of the knot, there should be a small opening. Wedge your fang tooth into the opened crevice. By pulling with your hands, gently, the knot should loosen and untie.
    7. Advertisement
Method 3 Method 3 of 3:

Create a Temporary Knot

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  1. Step 1 Inflate your balloon. 1 Inflate your balloon. Be sure it is full but not overly full. Inflate it 3/4 of the way full.
  2. Step 2 Use a rubber band. 2 Use a rubber band. Twist the neck several times so it is well sealed. Stretch out the balloon with one hand. Wrap a rubber band around the neck, and tuck it into the other end of the rubber band. Pull the longer end tight.[5]
    • This knot is called a lark's head knot. The goal is to use the rubber band as a tightening agent.
    • For increased support, you could tie the rubber band as well. This could be just as challenging to untie as a regular balloon's knot.
  3. Step 3 Use a twist tie. 3 Use a twist tie. One of the easier ways of deflating your balloon without popping it is to use a twist tie. Simply hold the neck tight with one hand, and then begin securing the neck with a twist tie.
  4. Step 4 Use a clothespin. 4 Use a clothespin. Do the same process as above, only this time secure the balloon with a clothespin. Be sure the clothespin is fresh and sturdy, or else it might not hold the air well.
  5. Step 5 Tape the balloon's end. 5 Tape the balloon's end. Have a few strips of tape ready to be used. Grip the neck of the inflated balloon with one hand. Then tape off the ends using your strips.
    • Use scotch tape for the best results.
    6. Advertisement

Community Q&A

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  • Question Why, when I put the fork prong through, is it covered in latex? Community Answer Community Answer This is because you are pushing against the latex! You have to push through the different sections of latex, not through one. That would result in a hole in your balloon! Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 19 Helpful 28
  • Question How do I untie a balloon at school? Community Answer Community Answer Hold just above the knot airtight so no loud noise is made when you finish. Push one end of the rubbery material through the loop, and pull out on the other side. Now you should be holding a an untied balloon. Slowly let the air out, careful not to make any noise, and hold it tightly so that it doesn't escape and fly around the room. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 13 Helpful 27
  • Question Can I use a lock pick? If so, how? Community Answer Community Answer It depends on the thickness. It must be thin enough to fit through the knot. But if you are using wire or a bendy object, I say you should use something else. If the item that you are using is bendy, it may be hard to slip it through. If you have big fingers, use something thick enough to get a grip on with your hands. Make sure that your lock pick is mostly a straight line, as it may be hard to handle a wavy or spiky one. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 12 Helpful 16
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Things You'll Need

  • Balloon
  • A fork, or a knitting needle
  • Rubber band or hair tie
  • Scotch tape
  • Clothesline
  • Twist ties

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References

  1. ↑ Ahzahdeh Neshat. Party Decorating Specialist. Expert Interview
  2. ↑ Ahzahdeh Neshat. Party Decorating Specialist. Expert Interview
  3. ↑ Ahzahdeh Neshat. Party Decorating Specialist. Expert Interview
  4. ↑ http://www.slate.com/articles/life/the_short_cut/2014/12/loosen_tight_knots_how_to_guide_for_untying_difficult_knots_video.html
  5. ↑ http://www.free-macrame-patterns.com/larks-head-knot.html

About This Article

Ahzahdeh Neshat Co-authored by: Ahzahdeh Neshat Party Decorating Specialist This article was co-authored by Ahzahdeh Neshat. Ahzahdeh Neshat is a Party Decorating Specialist and the Owner of Confetti & Sprinkles LLC based in Los Angeles, California. With over three years of experience, she specializes in creating extravagant balloon decor for parties and events. Ahzahdeh has created balloon decor for businesses such as MediaLab and Insomnia Cookies. This article has been viewed 152,017 times. 22 votes - 43% Co-authors: 13 Updated: February 24, 2025 Views: 152,017 Categories: Balloon Crafts | Party Decorations Article SummaryX

To untie a balloon, gently push and pull on the knot to loosen it. You can also use your teeth to pull on one of the strands of the knot so it's easier to untie. If you're still struggling, try sliding the prong of a fork or a knitting needle under one of the strands of the knot. Then, use the space you've created with the fork or needle to pull the knot apart. If you want to learn how to temporarily tie a balloon so it's easier to untie, keep reading the article! Did this summary help you?YesNo

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Reader Success Stories

  • Maddie Woodworth

    Maddie Woodworth

    Oct 16, 2020

    "Well, at first it was a bit hard, but as the steps got higher, it made more sense. If you follow the directions..." more
More reader stories Hide reader stories Share your story

Did this article help you?

Yes No Advertisement Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Ahzahdeh Neshat Co-authored by: Ahzahdeh Neshat Party Decorating Specialist 22 votes - 43% Click a star to vote 43% of people told us that this article helped them. Co-authors: 13 Updated: February 24, 2025 Views: 152,017 Maddie Woodworth

Maddie Woodworth

Oct 16, 2020

"Well, at first it was a bit hard, but as the steps got higher, it made more sense. If you follow the directions..." more Anonymous

Anonymous

Oct 6, 2016

"It was hard and a bit painful to the fingers but you will get the satisfaction of an untied balloon in the end." Charli Gometz

Charli Gometz

Apr 24, 2018

"It helped because my lil sis tied my balloon in a knot. I told my mom but no one could untie it..." Share yours! More success stories Hide success stories

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