Acquisitions Hefei Rongshida Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd. (Details) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended			3 Months Ended	0 Months Ended						12 Months Ended			12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2014 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2014 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2014 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2013 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2013 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2013 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2013 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2013 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2012 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014 Hefei Sanyo And Indesit USD ($)	Oct. 24, 2014 Hefei Sanyo USD ($)	Oct. 24, 2014 Hefei Sanyo CNY	Oct. 20, 2014 Hefei Sanyo USD ($)	Oct. 20, 2014 Hefei Sanyo CNY	Oct. 24, 2014 Hefei Sanyo USD ($)	Oct. 24, 2014 Hefei Sanyo CNY	Dec. 31, 2014 Hefei Sanyo USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2013 Hefei Sanyo USD ($)	Oct. 20, 2014 Hefei Sanyo	Dec. 31, 2014 Nonoperating Income (Expense) USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2013 Nonoperating Income (Expense) Hefei Sanyo USD ($)
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Percentage of voting interests acquired																	51.00%	51.00%			29.51%
Shares acquired																	234	234			157
Purchase price									$ 1,356.0	$ 0	$ 0		$ 321.0	2,000.0	$ 230.0	1,400.0	$ 551.0	3,400.0
Period in which acquired shares can not be sold													36 months	36 months
Net sales	6,003	4,824	4,682	4,363	5,090	4,683	4,748	4,248	19,872	18,769	18,143	994
Net earnings available to Whirlpool	81	230	179	160	181	196	198	252	650	827	401	15
Transaction costs																			$ 30	$ 21		$ 55	$ 15