Name:	nwl_Percentageoftotalprojectcostsexpectedtoberestructuringcosts
Namespace Prefix:	nwl_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of cash payments made as the result of exit or disposal activities. Excludes payments associated with a discontinued operation or an asset retirement obligation.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 420
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (b)(2)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6394359&loc=d3e17939-110869

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 25
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=66902209&loc=d3e3536-108585

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_PaymentsForRestructuring
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount expected to be recognized in earnings for the specified restructuring cost.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 420
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6394359&loc=d3e17939-110869

Reference 2: 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

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostExpectedCost1
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis=nwl_ProjectRenewalExpansionMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_RangeAxis=us-gaap_MinimumMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis=nwl_RenewalCombinedMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_RangeAxis=us-gaap_MaximumMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_NatureOfExpenseAxis=nwl_CashCostsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Restructuring Costs (Narrative) (Details) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
Restructuring Costs (Narrative) (Details) $ in Millions	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($)
Number of Global Business Units in 2011	13
Number of operating groups		3
Number of Business Segments		5
Cash paid for restructuring activities		$ 59.9	$ 51.5	$ 71.8
Project Renewal Expansion [Member]
Expected cumulative restructuring charges		150.0
Minimum [Member] \| Project Renewal Expansion [Member]
Expected cumulative restructuring charges		125.0
Minimum [Member] \| Renewal Combined [Member]
Expected cumulative restructuring charges		$ 690.0
Percentage of total project costs expected to be restructuring costs		60.00%
Maximum [Member] \| Project Renewal Expansion [Member]
Expected cumulative restructuring charges		$ 135.0
Maximum [Member] \| Renewal Combined [Member]
Expected cumulative restructuring charges		$ 725.0
Percentage of total project costs expected to be restructuring costs		70.00%
Cash Costs [Member] \| Project Renewal Expansion [Member]
Expected cumulative restructuring charges		$ 135.0
Cash Costs [Member] \| Minimum [Member] \| Renewal Combined [Member]
Expected cumulative restructuring charges		645.0
Cash Costs [Member] \| Maximum [Member] \| Renewal Combined [Member]
Expected cumulative restructuring charges		$ 675.0