Derivatives (Narrative) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Fair Value Of Non Hedge Derivatives Immaterial Assertion		not material
Interest rate swap duration, minimum		5
Interest rate swap duration, maximum		10
Non-hedge derivatives immaterial		not material
Fair value hedge ineffectiveness		The Company did not realize any ineffectiveness related to fair value hedges during 2011, 2010 and 2009.
Cash flow hedge ineffectiveness		The Company did not realize any ineffectiveness related to cash flow hedges during 2011, 2010 and 2009.
Intercompany Foreign Currency Derivatives, Cash Received or Paid At Settlement		$ 2.4	$ 3.8	$ 109.0
Pretax Losses Reclassified to AOCI	$ 2.4

Entity discloses that the fair value of derivatives not designated as hedges is immaterial.

No definition available.

Name:	nwl_FairValueOfNonHedgeDerivativesImmaterialAssertion
Namespace Prefix:	nwl_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Intercompany Foreign Currency Derivatives, Cash Received or Paid At Settlement

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	nwl_IntercompanyForeignCurrencyDerivativesCashReceivedOrPaidAtSettlement
Namespace Prefix:	nwl_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Entity discloses that the amount of gain/loss for derivatives not designated as hedges is immaterial.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	nwl_NonHedgeDerivativesImmaterialAssertion
Namespace Prefix:	nwl_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The estimated net amount of existing gains or losses on cash flow hedges at the reporting date expected to be reclassified to earnings within the next 12 months.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 133

-Paragraph 45

-Subparagraph b(2)

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009.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 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 815

-SubTopic 30

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (c)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6887037&loc=d3e80748-113994

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_CashFlowHedgeGainLossToBeReclassifiedWithinTwelveMonths
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

A disclosure of an assertion that the amount of cash flow hedge ineffectiveness is immaterial.

+ References

+ Details

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

- Definition

The high end of the range of time remaining until maturity when a range is presented for a group of derivatives.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativeHigherRemainingMaturityRange
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	us-types:durationStringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The low end of the range of time remaining until maturity when a range is presented for a group of derivatives.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DerivativeLowerRemainingMaturityRange
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	us-types:durationStringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Entity discloses that the amount of fair value hedge ineffectiveness is immaterial.

+ References

+ Details

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