Fair Value Disclosures Fair Value Disclosures (Non-recurring Fair Value Measurements) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Impairment of Goodwill, Intangibles And Other Long-Lived Assets Of Discontinued Operations, Pretax	$ 12.4	$ 0

Impairment of Goodwill, Intangibles And Other Long-Lived Assets Of Discontinued Operations, Pretax

No definition available.

Name:	nwl_ImpairmentOfGoodwillIntangiblesAndOtherLongLivedAssetsOfDiscontinuedOperationsPretax
Namespace Prefix:	nwl_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration