Consolidated Statements Of Operations (Parenthetical) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Interest Income, Nonoperating	$ 4.3	$ 2.2	$ 3.5

Interest income attributable to non-opearting activities of the entity.

No definition available.

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