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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
12 Months Ended
Dec. 27, 2014
Dec. 28, 2013
Dec. 29, 2012
Principles of consolidation [Abstract]      
Non-controlling ownership interest of Mueller-Xingrong (in hundredths) 49.50%us-gaap_MinorityInterestOwnershipPercentageByNoncontrollingOwners    
Common Stock Split [Abstract]      
Conversion ratio for stock split 2us-gaap_StockholdersEquityNoteStockSplitConversionRatio1    
Number of shares given as stock dividend for each outstanding share (in shares) 1mli_NumberOfSharesGivenAsStockDividendForEachOutstandingShare    
Cash equivalents [Abstract]      
Temporary investments $ 144.9mli_TemporaryInvestments $ 179.2mli_TemporaryInvestments  
Restricted cash 8.1us-gaap_RestrictedCashAndCashEquivalents 5.2us-gaap_RestrictedCashAndCashEquivalents  
Benefit Plans [Abstract]      
Specified percentage over which unrecognized gains and losses are amortized (in hundredths) 10.00%mli_SpecifiedPercentageOverWhichUnrecognizedGainsAndLossesAreAmortized    
Average remaining service period for the pension plans 9 years    
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]      
Stock-based awards excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share (in shares) 180,000us-gaap_AntidilutiveSecuritiesExcludedFromComputationOfEarningsPerShareAmount    
Foreign currency translation [Abstract]      
Foreign currency transaction (losses) gains $ 0.1us-gaap_ForeignCurrencyTransactionGainLossBeforeTax $ (0.1)us-gaap_ForeignCurrencyTransactionGainLossBeforeTax $ (0.3)us-gaap_ForeignCurrencyTransactionGainLossBeforeTax
Buildings [Member] | Minimum [Member]      
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]      
Property, plant and equipment, useful life 20 years    
Buildings [Member] | Maximum [Member]      
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]      
Property, plant and equipment, useful life 40 years    
Machinery and Equipment [Member] | Minimum [Member]      
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]      
Property, plant and equipment, useful life 5 years    
Machinery and Equipment [Member] | Maximum [Member]      
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]      
Property, plant and equipment, useful life 20 years