Stockholders' Equity (Net Earnings Per Share) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]
Numerator for basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share – net earnings (loss) available to Whirlpool	$ 74	$ 177	$ 279	$ 185
Denominator for basic earnings (loss) per share – weighted-average shares	78.3	76.9	77.9	76.8
Effect of dilutive securities – stock-based compensation	1.0	1.2	1.1	1.3
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted	79.3	78.1	79.0	78.1
Anti-dilutive stock options/awards excluded from earnings per share	2.7	2.5	2.8	2.1