Restructuring Costs (Restructuring Reserves By Segment) (Details) - Project Renewal [Member] $ in Millions	6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2015 USD ($)
Beginning Balance	$ 40.3
Restructuring Reserve, Period Increase (Decrease)	38.8
Restructuring Reserve Settled	(25.5)
Ending Balance	53.6
Writing [Member]
Beginning Balance	9.7
Restructuring Reserve, Period Increase (Decrease)	3.6
Restructuring Reserve Settled	(3.3)
Ending Balance	10.0
Home Solutions [Member]
Beginning Balance	1.0
Restructuring Reserve, Period Increase (Decrease)	4.9
Restructuring Reserve Settled	(1.0)
Ending Balance	4.9
Tools [Member]
Beginning Balance	0.5
Restructuring Reserve, Period Increase (Decrease)	0.8
Restructuring Reserve Settled	0.5
Ending Balance	1.8
Commercial Products [Member]
Beginning Balance	5.1
Restructuring Reserve, Period Increase (Decrease)	1.1
Restructuring Reserve Settled	(1.4)
Ending Balance	4.8
Baby & Parenting Segment [Member]
Beginning Balance	2.2
Restructuring Reserve, Period Increase (Decrease)	0.5
Restructuring Reserve Settled	(0.9)
Ending Balance	1.8
Corporate [Member]
Beginning Balance	21.8
Restructuring Reserve, Period Increase (Decrease)	27.9
Restructuring Reserve Settled	(19.4)
Ending Balance	$ 30.3

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

- Details

Name:	nwl_RestructuringByPlanAxis=nwl_ProjectRenewalMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis=nwl_WritingMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis=nwl_HomeSolutionsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis=nwl_ToolsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis=nwl_CommercialProductsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis=nwl_BabyParentingSegmentMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis=us-gaap_CorporateMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type: