Segment Information (Company's Segments Results) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012		Mar. 31, 2011		Dec. 31, 2011
Net Sales	$ 1,332.4		$ 1,274.2
Operating Profit (Loss)	124.2		128.0
Identifiable Assets	6,288.8				6,160.9
Restructuring Costs	(12.7)		(5.8)
Restructuring Related Costs	10.0		5.3
Newell Consumer Segment [Member]
Net Sales	639.6		656.4
Operating Profit (Loss)	75.5		90.8
Identifiable Assets	1,453.1				1,363.7
Restructuring Costs	(8.6)		0
Newell Professional Segment [Member]
Net Sales	510.6		467.5
Operating Profit (Loss)	70.7		60.1
Identifiable Assets	1,178.3				1,126.3
Restructuring Costs	(2.3)		0
Baby & Parenting Segment [Member]
Net Sales	182.2		150.3
Operating Profit (Loss)	22.4		7.4
Identifiable Assets	295.6				305.3
Restructuring Costs	(0.2)		0
Corporate [Member]
Operating Profit (Loss)	(31.7)		(24.5)
Identifiable Assets	3,361.8				3,365.6
Restructuring Costs	(1.6)		(5.8)
United States [Member]
Net Sales	860.6	[1],[2]	844.9	[1],[2]
Operating Profit (Loss)	71.4	[3],[4]	78.7	[3],[4]
Restructuring Costs	(10.4)		0
Canada [Member]
Net Sales	73.4	[1],[2]	78.5	[1],[2]
Operating Profit (Loss)	14.0	[3],[4]	12.3	[3],[4]
Restructuring Costs	(0.5)		0
Total North America [Member]
Net Sales	934.0	[1],[2]	923.4	[1],[2]
Operating Profit (Loss)	85.4	[3],[4]	91.0	[3],[4]
Restructuring Costs	(10.9)		0
Europe, Middle East and Africa [Member]
Net Sales	205.1	[1],[2]	187.9	[1],[2]
Operating Profit (Loss)	23.4	[3],[4],[5]	15.0	[3],[4],[5]
Restructuring Costs	(1.2)		(5.8)
Latin America [Member]
Net Sales	77.2	[1],[2]	72.3	[1],[2]
Operating Profit (Loss)	(9.2)	[3],[4]	5.0	[3],[4]
Restructuring Costs	(0.2)		0
Asia Pacific [Member]
Net Sales	116.1	[1],[2]	90.6	[1],[2]
Operating Profit (Loss)	24.6	[3],[4]	17.0	[3],[4]
Restructuring Costs	(0.4)		0
Total International [Member]
Net Sales	398.4	[1],[2]	350.8	[1],[2]
Operating Profit (Loss)	38.8	[3],[4]	37.0	[3],[4]
Restructuring Costs	$ (1.8)		$ (5.8)
Wal-Mart Stores Inc. and Subsidiaries [Member]
Percentage of net sales	9.90%		10.00%

[1] Geographic sales information is based on the region from which the products are shipped and invoiced.

[2] All intercompany transactions have been eliminated. Sales to Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. and subsidiaries amounted to approximately 9.9% and 10.0% of consolidated net sales in the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

[3] The following table summarizes the restructuring costs by region included in operating income (loss) above:

[4] Operating income (loss) by segment is net sales less cost of products sold and selling, general & administrative (“SG&A”) expenses. Operating income by geographic area is net sales less cost of products sold, SG&A expenses, impairment charges, and restructuring costs. Certain headquarters expenses of an operational nature are allocated to business segments and geographic areas primarily on a net sales basis. Depreciation and amortization is allocated to the segments on a percentage of sales basis, and the allocated depreciation and amortization is included in segment operating income.

[5] The Europe, Middle East and Africa operating income is after considering $10.0 million and $5.3 million of incremental SG&A costs associated with the European Transformation Plan for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.