Stockholders' Equity (Other Comprehensive Income) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Component of Other Income, Nonoperating [Line Items]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Beginning Balance	$ (1,226)	$ (893)	$ (868)
Unrealized gain (loss)	(19)	(232)	(46)
Unrealized actuarial gain (loss) and prior service credit (cost)	(420)	(177)	24
Tax effect	130	71	0
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	(309)	(338)	(22)
Other comprehensive income (loss) available to noncontrolling interest	(4)	(5)	3
Other comprehensive loss available to Whirlpool	(305)	(333)	(25)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Ending Balance	(1,531)	(1,226)	(893)
Foreign Currency Gain (Loss) [Member]
Component of Other Income, Nonoperating [Line Items]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Beginning Balance	(372)	(252)	(226)
Unrealized gain (loss)	(36)	(86)	(59)
Unrealized actuarial gain (loss) and prior service credit (cost)	0	0	0
Tax effect	(19)	(36)	36
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	(55)	(122)	(23)
Other comprehensive income (loss) available to noncontrolling interest	(4)	(2)	3
Other comprehensive loss available to Whirlpool	(51)	(120)	(26)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Ending Balance	(423)	(372)	(252)
Derivative [Member]
Component of Other Income, Nonoperating [Line Items]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Beginning Balance	(28)	69	53
Unrealized gain (loss)	8	(142)	23
Unrealized actuarial gain (loss) and prior service credit (cost)	0	0	0
Tax effect	(3)	42	(7)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	5	(100)	16
Other comprehensive income (loss) available to noncontrolling interest	0	(3)	0
Other comprehensive loss available to Whirlpool	5	(97)	16
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Ending Balance	(23)	(28)	69
Other Pension Plans, Postretirement or Supplemental Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]
Component of Other Income, Nonoperating [Line Items]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Beginning Balance	(820)	(708)	(703)
Unrealized gain (loss)	0	0	0
Unrealized actuarial gain (loss) and prior service credit (cost)	(420)	(177)	24
Tax effect	152	65	(29)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	(268)	(112)	(5)
Other comprehensive income (loss) available to noncontrolling interest	0	0	0
Other comprehensive loss available to Whirlpool	(268)	(112)	(5)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Ending Balance	(1,088)	(820)	(708)
Categories of Investments, Marketable Securities, Available-for-sale Securities [Member]
Component of Other Income, Nonoperating [Line Items]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Beginning Balance	(6)	(2)	8
Unrealized gain (loss)	9	(4)	(10)
Unrealized actuarial gain (loss) and prior service credit (cost)	0	0	0
Tax effect	0	0	0
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	9	(4)	(10)
Other comprehensive income (loss) available to noncontrolling interest	0	0	0
Other comprehensive loss available to Whirlpool	9	(4)	(10)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Ending Balance	$ 3	$ (6)	$ (2)