Pulp And Tissue Restructuring Pulp and Tissue Narrative (Details) (Pulp And Tissue Restructuring [Member])	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2012
Pulp And Tissue Restructuring [Member]
Restructuring Activities for Manufacturing Facilities	6

Restructuring Activities for Manufacturing Facilities

No definition available.

Name:	kmb_RestructuringActivitiesForManufacturingFacilities
Namespace Prefix:	kmb_
Data Type:	xbrli:decimalItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration