Represents the number of operating segments.

No definition available.

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- Definition

Represents the number of reportable segments.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

The number of product classes that meet the threshold percentage for disclosure of product sales relative to consolidated net sales.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

Special gains and charges includes items that are unusual in nature, significant in amount and important to an understanding of underlying business performance.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

Threshold percentage which the entity uses for disclosure.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

Sum of the carrying amounts as of the balance sheet date of all assets that are recognized. Assets are probable future economic benefits obtained or controlled by an entity as a result of past transactions or events.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Article 7

-Section 03

-Paragraph 12

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

-Section S99

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Publisher FASB

-Paragraph 1

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Concepts (CON)

-Number 6

-Paragraph 25

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 18

-Article 5

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.18)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

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- Definition

For an entity that discloses a concentration risk in relation to quantitative amount, which serves as the "benchmark" (or denominator) in the equation, this concept represents the concentration percentage derived from the division.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 275

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 20

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6927468&loc=d3e6404-108592

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 825

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 21

-Subparagraph (a)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6947722&loc=d3e13537-108611

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 825

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 275

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 18

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6927468&loc=d3e6351-108592

+ Details

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- Definition

The aggregate expense recognized in the current period that allocates the cost of tangible assets, intangible assets, or depleting assets to periods that benefit from use of the assets.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 28

-Subparagraph (b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6943989&loc=d3e3602-108585

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- Definition

The net result for the period of deducting operating expenses from operating revenues.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

The cash outflow for purchases of and capital improvements on property, plant and equipment (capital expenditures), software, and other intangible assets.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 13

-Subparagraph (c)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6943989&loc=d3e3213-108585

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 95

-Paragraph 15

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 95

-Paragraph 17

-Subparagraph c

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Glossary Investing Activities

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6516133

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- Definition

Total revenue from sale of goods and services rendered during the reporting period, in the normal course of business, reduced by sales returns and allowances, and sales discounts.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Article 5

-Section 03

-Paragraph 1

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 225

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.1)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6880815&loc=d3e20235-122688

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OPERATING SEGMENTS AND GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Sep. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2010	Mar. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2011 segment	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Financial information of reportable segments
Number of operating segments										12
Number of reportable segments										3
Special (gains) and charges										$ 171.0	$ 7.5	$ 79.7
Net sales	193.4	1,845.3	1,736.1	1,698.8	1,518.3	1,575.5	1,561.9	1,520.2	1,432.1	6,798.5	6,089.7	5,900.6
Operating Income (Loss)	13.8	164.2	239.6	198.3	151.7	203.6	245.1	204.3	153.8	753.8	806.8	681.3
Depreciation & Amortization										395.7	347.9	334.3
Capital Expenditures (Including Capitalized Software)										366.0	297.7	297.3
Total Assets	18,240.8	18,240.8				4,872.2				18,240.8	4,872.2
Product concentration \| Consolidated net sales
Financial information of reportable segments
Number of product classes comprising 10% or more of consolidated net sales										2
Threshold percentage of product sales to consolidated net sales	10.00%	10.00%								10.00%
Warewashing Products \| Product concentration \| Consolidated net sales
Financial information of reportable segments
Percentage of consolidated sales	18.00%	18.00%				19.00%				18.00%	19.00%	19.00%
Laundry Products \| Product concentration \| Consolidated net sales
Financial information of reportable segments
Percentage of consolidated sales	10.00%	10.00%				10.00%				10.00%	10.00%	11.00%
U.S. Cleaning and Sanitizing
Financial information of reportable segments
Depreciation & Amortization										199.8	184.3	185.4
Capital Expenditures (Including Capitalized Software)										163.4	148.7	145.5
Total Assets	2,270.7	2,270.7				1,876.2				2,270.7	1,876.2
U.S. Other Services
Financial information of reportable segments
Depreciation & Amortization										5.3	5.4	6.4
Capital Expenditures (Including Capitalized Software)										4.5	2.5	4.0
Total Assets	154.2	154.2				149.4				154.2	149.4
International
Financial information of reportable segments
Depreciation & Amortization										174.0	158.2	142.5
Capital Expenditures (Including Capitalized Software)										176.3	146.5	147.8
Total Assets	2,607.9	2,607.9				2,413.4				2,607.9	2,413.4
Corporate
Financial information of reportable segments
Special (gains) and charges										169.5	7.5	79.7
Net sales										(29.6)
Operating Income (Loss)										(211.6)	(30.5)	(103.9)
Depreciation & Amortization										11.0
Total Assets	2,125.6	2,125.6				433.2				2,125.6	433.2
Legacy Ecolab
Financial information of reportable segments
Number of operating segments										12
Number of reportable segments										3
Net sales										6,634.7	6,089.7	5,900.6
Operating Income (Loss)										930.5	837.3	785.2
Legacy Ecolab \| United States
Financial information of reportable segments
Net sales										3,387.4	3,170.4	3,112.7
Operating Income (Loss)										626.4	585.3	560.9
Legacy Ecolab \| U.S. Cleaning and Sanitizing
Financial information of reportable segments
Net sales										2,930.3	2,721.9	2,663.3
Operating Income (Loss)										556.7	513.9	495.2
Legacy Ecolab \| U.S. Other Services
Financial information of reportable segments
Number of operating segments										2
Net sales										457.1	448.5	449.4
Operating Income (Loss)										69.7	71.4	65.7
Legacy Ecolab \| International
Financial information of reportable segments
Number of operating segments										4
Net sales										3,110.7	2,932.2	2,836.9
Operating Income (Loss)										292.5	260.6	237.6
Legacy Ecolab \| Currency impact
Financial information of reportable segments
Net sales										136.6	(12.9)	(49.0)
Operating Income (Loss)										11.6	(8.6)	(13.3)
Nalco
Financial information of reportable segments
Number of operating segments										3
Number of reportable segments										3
Net sales										193.4
Operating Income (Loss)										34.9
Depreciation & Amortization										5.6
Capital Expenditures (Including Capitalized Software)										21.8
Total Assets	11,082.4	11,082.4								11,082.4
Nalco \| Water Services
Financial information of reportable segments
Net sales										67.2
Operating Income (Loss)										11.0
Nalco \| Paper Services
Financial information of reportable segments
Net sales										33.9
Operating Income (Loss)										6.2
Nalco \| Energy Services
Financial information of reportable segments
Net sales										92.3
Operating Income (Loss)										$ 17.7