Consolidated Statements Of Income (USD $) In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011		Dec. 31, 2010		Dec. 31, 2009
Consolidated Statements Of Income [Abstract]
Net Sales	$ 2,749.3		$ 2,589.2		$ 2,520.9
Cost of sales	1,534.8		1,431.4		1,419.9
Gross Profit	1,214.5		1,157.8		1,101.0
Marketing expenses	354.1		338.0		353.6
Selling, general and administrative expenses	367.8		374.8		354.5
Patent litigation settlement	0		0		(20.0)
Income from Operations	492.6		445.0		412.9
Equity in earnings of affiliates	10.0		5.0		12.1
Investment earnings	1.9	[1]	0.6	[1]	1.3	[1]
Other income, net	(1.2)	[1]	(4.5)	[1]	1.5	[1]
Interest expense	(8.7)	[1]	(27.8)	[1]	(35.6)	[1]
Income before Income Taxes	494.6		418.3		392.2
Income taxes	185.0		147.6		148.7
Net Income	309.6		270.7		243.5
Noncontrolling interest	0		0		0
Net Income attributable to Church & Dwight Co., Inc.	$ 309.6		$ 270.7		$ 243.5
Weighted average shares outstanding - Basic	143.2		142.0	[2]	140.8	[2]
Weighted average shares outstanding - Diluted	145.8		144.4	[2]	143.0	[2]
Net income per share - Basic	$ 2.16		$ 1.91		$ 1.73
Net income per share - Diluted	$ 2.12		$ 1.87		$ 1.70
Cash dividends per share	$ 0.68		$ 0.31		$ 0.23

[1] In determining Income before Income Taxes, interest expense, investment earnings, and other income (expense) were allocated to the segments based upon each segment's relative operating profit.

[2] Reflects two-for-one stock split