Income Taxes (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2014
Reduction of unrecognized tax benefits	$ (8.0)
Venezuela Tax Effect Impact Due to Devaluation	13.9
Venezuela Pretax Exchange Loss Upon Adoption of SICAD I Rate	$ 38.7

Income Tax Benefit Arising from Venezuela Foreign Exchange Loss Due to Devaluation

No definition available.

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