Restructuring Costs (Restructuring Reserves By Segment) (Details) (Project Renewal [Member], USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2015
Beginning Balance	$ 40.3us-gaap_RestructuringReserve
Restructuring Reserve, Period Increase (Decrease)	27.3
Restructuring Reserve Settled	(16.4)nwl_RestructuringReserveSettled
Ending Balance	51.2us-gaap_RestructuringReserve
Writing [Member]
Beginning Balance	9.7
Restructuring Reserve, Period Increase (Decrease)	2.8
Restructuring Reserve Settled	(0.7)
Ending Balance	11.8
Home Solutions [Member]
Beginning Balance	1.0
Restructuring Reserve, Period Increase (Decrease)	4.8
Restructuring Reserve Settled	(0.8)
Ending Balance	5.0
Tools [Member]
Beginning Balance	0.5
Restructuring Reserve, Period Increase (Decrease)	0
Restructuring Reserve Settled	0
Ending Balance	0.5
Commercial Products [Member]
Beginning Balance	5.1
Restructuring Reserve, Period Increase (Decrease)	0.5
Restructuring Reserve Settled	(0.2)
Ending Balance	5.4
Baby & Parenting Segment [Member]
Beginning Balance	2.2
Restructuring Reserve, Period Increase (Decrease)	0
Restructuring Reserve Settled	0
Ending Balance	2.2
Corporate [Member]
Beginning Balance	21.8
Restructuring Reserve, Period Increase (Decrease)	19.2
Restructuring Reserve Settled	(14.7)
Ending Balance	$ 26.3

Amount of cash and other consideration paid in the period to fully or partially settle a specified, previously accrued type of restructuring cost. May also include certain costs incurred as paid as well as asset write-downs.

No definition available.

+ Details

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

- Definition

Carrying amount (including both current and noncurrent portions of the accrual) as of the balance sheet date pertaining to a specified type of cost associated with exit from or disposal of business activities or restructuring pursuant to a duly authorized plan.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 420

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (SAB TOPIC 5.P.4(b))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27011515&loc=d3e140904-122747

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB)

-Number Topic 5

-Section P

-Subsection 3, 4

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_RestructuringReserve
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Net total Increase or Decrease in the accrual for restructuring costs during the reporting period.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_RestructuringReservePeriodIncreaseDecrease
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration