CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME (Parenthetical) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME
Cost of sales, special charges	$ 76.0	$ 0.8
Interest expense, special charges	18.2
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest, special charges	$ 4.5

The aggregate amount of other nonrecurring expenses that are infrequent in occurrence or unusual in nature, charged to net income (loss) during the reporting period.

No definition available.

Name:	ecl_IncomeLossSpecialCharges
Namespace Prefix:	ecl_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration