Quarterly Financial Information (Schedule Of Quarterly Financial Information) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended												12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jul. 01, 2011	Apr. 01, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Oct. 01, 2010	Jul. 02, 2010	Apr. 02, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009	Sep. 25, 2009	Jun. 26, 2009	Mar. 27, 2009	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Quarterly Financial Information [Abstract]
Net Sales	$ 731.1	$ 701.0	$ 674.9	$ 642.3	$ 656.9	$ 656.9	$ 640.9	$ 634.5	$ 670.8	$ 646.1	$ 623.1	$ 580.9	$ 2,749.3	$ 2,589.2	$ 2,520.9
Gross Profit	316.5	309.9	300.0	288.1	292.4	289.0	290.9	285.5	285.2	284.9	281.6	249.3	1,214.5	1,157.8	1,101.0
Income from Operations	117.4	126.3	117.8	131.1	80.0	113.0	120.0	132.0	91.3	117.9	99.0	104.7	492.6	445.0	412.9
Equity in Earnings of Affiliates	1.7	2.9	3.2	2.2	1.4	0.8	1.6	1.2	2.7	2.7	4.0	2.7	10.0	5.0	12.1
Net Income attributable to Church & Dwight Co., Inc.	$ 63.8	$ 79.6	$ 82.6	$ 83.6	$ 47.0	$ 69.5	$ 74.2	$ 80.0	$ 52.8	$ 70.0	$ 58.2	$ 62.5	$ 309.6	$ 270.7	$ 243.5
Net Income per Share-Basic	$ 0.45	$ 0.55	$ 0.58	$ 0.59	$ 0.33	$ 0.49	$ 0.53	$ 0.57	$ 0.38	$ 0.50	$ 0.42	$ 0.45	$ 2.16	$ 1.91	$ 1.73
Net Income per Share-Diluted	$ 0.44	$ 0.54	$ 0.57	$ 0.58	$ 0.33	$ 0.48	$ 0.52	$ 0.56	$ 0.37	$ 0.49	$ 0.41	$ 0.44	$ 2.12	$ 1.87	$ 1.70