Employee Benefit And Retirement Plans (Narrative) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011
Defined Benefit Pension Plans and Defined Benefit Postretirement Plans Disclosure [Abstract]
Contribution to Company-sponsored profit sharing plan	$ 18.8	$ 17.6

The amount of contributions made by the employer to a defined contribution plan.

No definition available.

Name:	nwl_DefinedContributionPlanEmployerContributions
Namespace Prefix:	nwl_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration