Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders' Equity (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified		Total		Preference Stock [Member]	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-In Capital [Member]	Unearned Compensation [Member]	Treasury Stock [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]	Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2008				$ 181	$ 733	$ 1,610	$ (187)	$ (9,697)	$ 11,760	$ (2,477)	$ 121
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent		2,291							2,291
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest		106									106
Net income		2,397
Other comprehensive income, net of tax		382								381	1
Dividends declared:
Series B Convertible Preference stock, net of taxes									(30)
Common stock									(864)
Noncontrolling interests in Company's subsidiaries											(87)
Stock-based compensation expense						117
Shares issued for stock options						92		175
Shares issued for restricted stock awards						(47)		47
Treasury stock acquired								(1,063)
Preference stock conversion				(12)		(48)		60
Other						40	54
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2009				169	733	1,764	(133)	(10,478)	13,157	(2,096)	141
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent		2,203	[1]						2,203
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest		110									110
Net income	[1]	2,313
Other comprehensive income, net of tax		(17)								(19)	2
Dividends declared:
Series B Convertible Preference stock, net of taxes									(34)
Common stock									(997)
Noncontrolling interests in Company's subsidiaries											(111)
Stock-based compensation expense						121
Shares issued for stock options						56		153
Shares issued for restricted stock awards						(60)		60
Treasury stock acquired								(2,020)
Preference stock conversion				(169)		(813)		982
Other						64	34	(2)
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2010		2,817		0	733	1,132	(99)	(11,305)	14,329	(2,115)	142
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent		2,431	[2]						2,431
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest		123									123
Net income	[2]	2,554
Other comprehensive income, net of tax		(367)								(360)	(7)
Dividends declared:
Common stock									(1,111)
Noncontrolling interests in Company's subsidiaries											(92)
Stock-based compensation expense						122
Shares issued for stock options						88		251
Shares issued for restricted stock awards						(53)		53
Treasury stock acquired								(1,806)
Other						47	39	(1)
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2011		$ 2,541		$ 0	$ 733	$ 1,336	$ (60)	$ (12,808)	$ 15,649	$ (2,475)	$ 166

[1] Net income including noncontrolling interests, Net income attributable to Colgate-Palmolive Company and earnings per share for the full year of 2010 include a $271 one-time charge related to the transition to hyperinflationary accounting in Venezuela, a $61 aftertax charge for termination benefits related to overhead reduction initiatives, a $30 aftertax gain on sales of non-core product lines and a $31 benefit related to the reorganization of an overseas subsidiary.

[2] Net income including noncontrolling interests, Net income attributable to Colgate-Palmolive Company and earnings per share for the full year of 2011 include a $135 aftertax gain resulting from the sale of the Company's laundry detergent business in Colombia, $147 of aftertax charges for the implementation of various business realignment and other cost-saving initiatives, $9 of aftertax charges related to the sale of land in Mexico and a $21 charge for a competition law matter in France related to a divested detergent business.