CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 179.7	$ 366.9
Restricted cash equivalents	6.6	8.1
Accounts and other receivables, net	411.2	302.5
Inventories, net	544.0	650.3
Other current assets	20.2	26.0
Deferred income taxes	9.6	9.6
Total current assets	1,171.3	1,363.4
Other assets:
Marketable securities	256.7	256.8
Investment in affiliates	116.0	126.1
Goodwill	379.7	379.7
Deferred income taxes	168.7	120.3
Other noncurrent assets	165.1	161.1
Total other assets	1,086.2	1,044.0
Property and equipment:
Land	47.3	48.3
Buildings	271.1	280.5
Equipment	1,096.7	1,127.7
Treatment, storage and disposal facility	158.9	158.7
Mining properties	60.8	72.3
Construction in progress	44.3	40.7
Gross property and equipment	1,679.1	1,728.2
Less accumulated depreciation	939.8	965.1
Net property and equipment	739.3	763.1
Total assets	2,996.8	3,170.5
Current liabilities:
Current maturities of long-term debt	29.6	29.6
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	340.2	334.6
Income taxes	31.5	23.1
Deferred income taxes	10.8	11.2
Total current liabilities	412.1	398.5
Noncurrent liabilities:
Long-term debt	770.6	880.5
Deferred income taxes	472.4	454.8
Accrued pension costs	194.6	202.9
Accrued environmental remediation and related costs	43.6	42.6
Accrued postretirement benefits costs	20.8	21.2
Other liabilities	80.1	78.3
Total noncurrent liabilities	1,582.1	1,680.3
Equity: Valhi stockholders' equity:
Preferred stock	667.3	667.3
Common stock	3.6	3.6
Additional paid-in capital	78.9	78.9
Retained earnings	18.6	75.4
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(61.9)	(42.0)
Treasury stock	(49.6)	(49.6)
Total Valhi stockholders' equity	656.9	733.6
Noncontrolling interest in subsidiaries	345.7	358.1
Total equity	1,002.6	1,091.7
Total liabilities and equity	2,996.8	3,170.5
Commitments and contingencies (Notes 13 and 16)