Additional borrowing capacity.

No definition available.

Name:	chd_AdditionalBorrowingCapacity
Namespace Prefix:	chd_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Funded indebtedness to earnings before interest tax depreciation and amortization ratio.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	chd_FundedIndebtednessToEarningsBeforeInterestTaxDepreciationAndAmortizationRatio
Namespace Prefix:	chd_
Data Type:	xbrli:pureItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Maximum leverage ratio related to material acquisition.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	chd_MaximumLeverageRatioRelatedToMaterialAcquisition
Namespace Prefix:	chd_
Data Type:	xbrli:pureItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Notes maximum maturity.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	chd_NotesMaximumMaturity
Namespace Prefix:	chd_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Percentage of principal amount of notes required if rated below investment grade.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	chd_PercentageOfPrincipalAmountOfNotesRequiredIfRatedBelowInvestmentGrade
Namespace Prefix:	chd_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Carrying value as of the balance sheet date of short-term borrowings using unsecured obligations issued by banks, corporations and other borrowers to investors. The maturities of these money market securities generally do not exceed 270 days.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.19(a)(3))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03.13(2))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 03
-Paragraph 16
-Article 7

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_CommercialPaper
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Percentage points added to the reference rate to compute the variable rate on the debt instrument.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Date the debt agreement requires the first payment to be made, in CCYY-MM-DD format.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 470
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-Subparagraph (c)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6479336&loc=d3e64711-112823

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentDateOfFirstRequiredPayment1
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:dateItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Identification of the lender and information about a contractual promise to repay a short-term or long-term obligation, which includes borrowings under lines of credit, notes payable, commercial paper, bonds payable, debentures, and other contractual obligations for payment. This may include rationale for entering into the arrangement, significant terms of the arrangement, which may include amount, repayment terms, priority, collateral required, debt covenants, borrowing capacity, call features, participation rights, conversion provisions, sinking-fund requirements, voting rights, basis for conversion if convertible and remarketing provisions. The description may be provided for individual debt instruments, rational groupings of debt instruments, or by debt in total.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 505
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6928386&loc=d3e21475-112644

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 470
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-Subparagraph (a)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6479336&loc=d3e64711-112823

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Regulation S-X (SX)
-Number 210
-Section 02
-Paragraph 19, 20, 22
-Article 5

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentDescription
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Face (par) amount of debt instrument at time of issuance.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 835
-SubTopic 30
-Section 55
-Paragraph 8
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=34725769&loc=d3e28878-108400

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 835
-SubTopic 30
-Section 45
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6451184&loc=d3e28551-108399

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Description of the frequency of periodic payments (monthly, quarterly, annual).

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFrequencyOfPeriodicPayment
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Contractual interest rate for funds borrowed, under the debt agreement.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Date when the debt instrument is scheduled to be fully repaid, in CCYY-MM-DD format.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentMaturityDate
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:dateItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Percentage of principal amount of debt redeemed.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentRedemptionPricePercentageOfPrincipalAmountRedeemed
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Weighted average interest rate of debt outstanding.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtWeightedAverageInterestRate
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The percentage points added to the reference rate to compute the variable rate on the interest rate derivative.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativeBasisSpreadOnVariableRate
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Fixed interest rate that will be received or paid upon exercise of the interest rate swaption contract.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativeSwaptionInterestRate
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of current borrowing capacity under the credit facility considering any current restrictions on the amount that could be borrowed (for example, borrowings may be limited by the amount of current assets), but without considering any amounts currently outstanding under the facility.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityCurrentBorrowingCapacity
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Maximum borrowing capacity under the credit facility without consideration of any current restrictions on the amount that could be borrowed or the amounts currently outstanding under the facility.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of borrowing capacity currently available under the credit facility (current borrowing capacity less the amount of borrowings outstanding).

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityRemainingBorrowingCapacity
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Carrying amount at the balance sheet date of borrowings from a bank, not elsewhere enumerated in the taxonomy, with a maturity within one year (or within one operating cycle if longer) from the date of borrowing.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 944
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03.16)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.19(a)(1))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ShortTermBankLoansAndNotesPayable
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativeInstrumentRiskAxis=us-gaap_InterestRateSwapMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=chd_TwoPointFourFivePercentSeniorNotesDueDecemberFifteenTwoThousandAndNineteenMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis=chd_RepaymentTermsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=chd_TwoPointEightSevenFivePercentSeniorNotesDueOctoberOneTwoThousandAndTwentyTwoMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis=chd_ThreePointThreeFivePercentSeniorNotesDueDecemberFifteenTwoThousandAndFifteenMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_VariableRateAxis=chd_FederalFundsRateMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_VariableRateAxis=us-gaap_LondonInterbankOfferedRateLIBORMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_VariableRateAxis=chd_TreasuryRateMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_RangeAxis=us-gaap_MaximumMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_VariableRateAxis=us-gaap_BaseRateMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_RangeAxis=us-gaap_MinimumMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis=chd_UnsecuredRevolvingCreditFacilityMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis=us-gaap_CommercialPaperMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis=chd_CommercialPaperAndCreditAgreementMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityAxis=chd_OtherDebtMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Short-Term Borrowings and Long-Term Debt - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions				3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 15, 2015	Dec. 09, 2014	Sep. 26, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 04, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 15, 2010
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Consolidated funded indebtedness to EBITDA ratio					0.0350
Maximum leverage ratio related to material acquisition					0.0375
Commercial paper issuances					$ 354.5		$ 143.3
Various debt due to international banks					$ 2.7		$ 3.4
Interest Rate Swaps
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate, swap					2.45%
2.45% Senior notes due December 15, 2019
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maturity date of debt		Dec. 15, 2019
Aggregate principal amount		$ 300.0
Interest rate of debt		2.45%
Interest payment frequency					Semi-annually
Interest payment, beginning date		Jun. 15, 2015
Debt repayment terms					The Company may redeem the 2019 Notes, at any time in whole or from time to time in part, prior to their maturity date at a redemption price equal to the greater of: (i) 100% of the principal amount of the 2019 Notes being redeemed and (ii) the sum of the present values of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest thereon (not including any portion of such payments of interest accrued as of the date of redemption), discounted to the date of redemption on a semiannual basis (assuming a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months) at the Treasury Rate (as defined in the First Supplemental Indenture), plus 15 basis points. In addition, at any time on or after November 15, 2019 (one month prior to the maturity date of the notes), the Company may redeem the notes in whole or in part, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes to be redeemed. In addition, if the Company undergoes a “change of control” (as defined in the First Supplemental Indenture), and if, generally within 60 days thereafter, the 2019 Notes are rated below investment grade by each of the rating agencies designated in the First Supplemental Indenture, the Company will be required to offer to repurchase the 2019 Notes at 101% of par plus accrued and unpaid interest to the date of repurchase.
2.45% Senior notes due December 15, 2019 \| Interest Rate Swaps
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maturity date of debt					Dec. 15, 2019
Interest rate of debt					2.45%
2.45% Senior notes due December 15, 2019 \| Repayment Terms
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Percentage of principal amount of notes being redeemed		100.00%
Percentage of principal amount of notes required if rated below investment grade		101.00%
2.875% Senior notes due October 1, 2022
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maturity date of debt			Oct. 01, 2022
Aggregate principal amount			$ 400.0
Interest rate of debt			2.875%
Interest payment frequency					semi-annually
Interest payment, beginning date			Apr. 01, 2013
Debt repayment terms					The Company may redeem the 2022 Notes, at any time in whole or from time to time in part, prior to their maturity date at a redemption price equal to the greater of: (i) 100% of the principal amount of the 2022 Notes being redeemed and (ii) the sum of the present values of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest thereon (not including any portion of such payments of interest accrued as of the date of redemption), discounted to the date of redemption on a semiannual basis (assuming a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months) at the Treasury Rate (as defined in the BNY Mellon Second Supplemental Indenture), plus 20 basis points. In addition, if the Company undergoes a “change of control” (as defined in the BNY Mellon Second Supplemental Indenture), and if, generally within 60 days thereafter, the 2022 Notes are rated below investment grade by each of the rating agencies designated in the BNY Mellon Second Supplemental Indenture, the Company will be required to offer to repurchase the 2022 Notes at 101% of par plus accrued and unpaid interest to the date of repurchase.
2.875% Senior notes due October 1, 2022 \| Repayment Terms
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Percentage of principal amount of notes being redeemed			100.00%
Percentage of principal amount of notes required if rated below investment grade			101.00%
3.35% Senior notes due December 15, 2015
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maturity date of debt	Dec. 15, 2015
Aggregate principal amount								$ 250.0
Interest rate of debt								3.35%
Federal Funds Rate
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, variable interest rate					0.50%
LIBOR-Based Rate
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, variable interest rate					1.00%
LIBOR-Based Rate \| Interest Rate Swaps
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate, spread					0.756%
LIBOR-Based Rate \| 2.45% Senior notes due December 15, 2019 \| Interest Rate Swaps
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate, spread					0.756%
Treasury Rate \| 2.45% Senior notes due December 15, 2019 \| Repayment Terms
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, variable interest rate		0.15%
Treasury Rate \| 2.875% Senior notes due October 1, 2022 \| Repayment Terms
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, variable interest rate			0.20%
Maximum \| LIBOR-Based Rate
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, variable interest rate					1.75%
Maximum \| Base Rate
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, variable interest rate					0.75%
Minimum \| LIBOR-Based Rate
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, variable interest rate					0.875%
Minimum \| Base Rate
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, variable interest rate					0.00%
Unsecured Revolving Credit Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maximum borrowing capacity						$ 600.0
Line of credit facility, current borrowing capacity						1,000.0
Additional borrowing capacity						$ 600.0
Maturity date of debt					Dec. 04, 2020
Commercial Paper
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maximum borrowing capacity					$ 500.0
Notes maximum maturity days				397 days
Commercial Paper \| Maximum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Weighted average interest rate					0.80%		0.50%
Commercial Paper And Credit Agreement \| Maximum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maximum borrowing capacity					$ 1,000.0
Other Debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Remaining borrowing capacity					5.1
Various debt due to international banks					$ 2.7		$ 3.4