Name:	ecl_BusinessAcquisitionContingentConsiderationPotentialCashPaymentAsPercentageOfIncrementalFederalTaxOnMergerConsideration
Namespace Prefix:	ecl_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

Represents the net amount of purchase price allocation adjustment related to business combination.

No definition available.

Name:	ecl_BusinessAcquisitionPurchasePriceAllocationAdjustmentsNet
Namespace Prefix:	ecl_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

Represents the portion of purchase prices transferred in an escrow fund for indemnification purchases related to general representations and warranties.

No definition available.

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

Represents the period to satisfy adjustments to the consideration or indemnification obligations of the acquired entity, following the effective date of the transaction.

No definition available.

Name:	ecl_PeriodOfAdjustmentsToConsiderationOrIndemnificationObligationsAfterAcquisition
Namespace Prefix:	ecl_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Details

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

For contingent consideration arrangements recognized in connection with a business combination, this element represents an estimate of the high-end of the potential range (undiscounted) of the consideration which may be paid.

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 805

-SubTopic 30

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (c)(3)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35744584&loc=d3e6927-128479

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

- Details

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

The cash outflow associated with other payments to acquire businesses including deposit on pending acquisitions and preacquisition costs.

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Glossary Investing Activities

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

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 13

-Subparagraph (b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=31042434&loc=d3e3213-108585