Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans (Narrative) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2009	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
RetireeHealth Savings Account Suspension RecognizedNetGainLossDueToCurtailments	$ 89
Defined Benefit Plan, Description of Plan Amendment		During 2011, we modified retiree medical benefits for certain retirees, effective January 1, 2013, to be consistent with those benefits provided by the Whirlpool Corporation Group Benefit Plan
Plan amendments		148
DefinedContributionPlanCompanyMatchPercentage		7.00%
Defined Contribution Plan, Cost Recognized		68	65	40
Description of Defined Contribution Pension and Other Postretirement Plans		Eligible retirees include those who were full-time employees with 10 years of service who attained age 55 while in service with us and those union retirees who met the eligibility requirements of their collective bargaining agreements.
Cost of Sales [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
RetireeHealth Savings Account Suspension RecognizedNetGainLossDueToCurtailments				80
General and Administrative Expense [Member]
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Table Text Block [Line Items]
RetireeHealth Savings Account Suspension RecognizedNetGainLossDueToCurtailments				$ 9