Comprehensive Income (Summary Of Comprehensive Income) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net Income	$ 309.6	$ 270.7	$ 243.5
Foreign exchange translation adjustments	(7.3)	(2.5)	34.1
Derivative agreements	1.2	0.8	1.1
Derivative agreements, Reclassification adjustments for interest rate collar net loss included in net income	0	2.6	0
Defined benefit plan adjustments, Net periodic benefit cost	(7.3)	(3.2)	(4.7)
Defined benefit plan adjustments, Reclassification adjustments for pension plan termination net loss included in net income	0	8.5	0
Comprehensive Income	296.2	276.9	274.0
Comprehensive Income attributable to noncontrolling interest	0	0	0
Comprehensive Income attributable to Church & Dwight Co., Inc.	$ 296.2	$ 276.9	$ 274.0

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Other Comprehensive Income Defined Benefit Plans Other Adjustment Period Increase Decrease

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The change in equity [net assets] of a business enterprise during a period from transactions and other events and circumstances from non-owner sources which are attributable to the reporting entity. It includes all changes in equity during a period except those resulting from investments by owners and distributions to owners, but excludes any and all transactions which are directly or indirectly attributable to that ownership interest in subsidiary equity which is not attributable to the parent.

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The change in equity [net assets] of a business enterprise during a period from transactions and other events and circumstances from non-owner sources which are attributable to noncontrolling interests, if any. It includes all changes in equity during a period except those resulting from investments by owners and distributions to owners, which are directly or indirectly attributable to that ownership interest in subsidiary equity which is not attributable to the parent.

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Pre tax adjustment that results from the process of translating subsidiary financial statements and foreign equity investments into functional currency of the reporting entity, net of reclassification of realized foreign currency translation gains (losses). Includes gain (loss) on foreign currency forward exchange contracts. Includes foreign currency transactions designated as hedges of net investment in a foreign entity and intercompany foreign currency transactions that are of a long-term nature, when the entities to the transaction are consolidated, combined, or accounted for by the equity method in the reporting enterprise's financial statements. Includes the gain (loss) on a derivative instrument or nonderivative financial instrument that may give rise to a foreign currency transaction gain (loss) that has been designated and qualified as a hedging instrument for hedging of the foreign currency exposure of a net investment in a foreign operation.

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Net of tax effect of the reclassification adjustment for accumulated gains and losses from derivative instrument designated and qualifying as the effective portion of cash flow hedges included in accumulated comprehensive income that was realized in net income during the period.

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The adjustment out of other comprehensive income for actuarial gains or losses recognized as a component of net periodic benefit cost during the period, after tax.

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The consolidated profit or loss for the period, net of income taxes, including the portion attributable to the noncontrolling interest.

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