Derivatives (Narrative) (Details)	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2012
Interest rate swap duration, minimum	5
Interest rate swap duration, maximum	10
Non-hedge derivatives immaterial	0
Fair value hedge ineffectiveness	0
Cash flow hedge ineffectiveness	0

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

No definition available.

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

- Definition

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

+ 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(1)

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009.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.

+ 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

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 133

-Paragraph 45

-Subparagraph a(1)

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009.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.

+ Details

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