Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	12 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2011
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Foreign Currency Transactions and Translations Policy [Policy Text Block]	Foreign Currency Translation - Financial statements of foreign operations where the local currency is the functional currency are translated using end-of-period exchange rates for assets and liabilities, and average exchange rates during the period for results of operations. Related translation adjustments are reported as a component within accumulated other comprehensive income in the shareholders’ equity section of the Consolidated Balance Sheets. For foreign operations that are considered highly inflationary, translation practices differ in that inventories, properties, accumulated depreciation and depreciation expense are translated at historical rates of exchange, and translation adjustments for monetary assets and liabilities are included in earnings. Gains and losses from foreign currency transactions are generally included in earnings. Effective January 1, 2010, the financial statements for our Venezuela subsidiary are consolidated under the rules governing the translation of financial information in a highly inflationary economy based on the use of the blended National Consumer Price Index in Venezuela. Under GAAP, an economy is considered highly inflationary if the cumulative inflation rate for a three year period meets or exceeds 100 percent. If a subsidiary is considered to be in a highly inflationary economy, the financial statements of the subsidiary must be re-measured into our reporting currency (U.S. dollar) and future exchange gains and losses from the re-measurement of monetary assets and liabilities are reflected in current earnings, rather than exclusively in the equity section of the balance sheet, until such time as the economy is no longer considered highly inflationary. For further information regarding the Company’s Venezuela affiliate, see Note 5 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
Derivatives, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Financial Instruments and Derivative Securities - The Company uses financial instruments, from time to time, in the management of foreign currency, interest rate and other risks that are inherent to its business operations. Such instruments are not held or issued for trading purposes. Foreign exchange (F/X) instruments, including currency forwards, are used primarily to reduce transaction exposures and, to a lesser extent, to manage other translation exposures. F/X instruments used are selected based on their risk reduction attributes and the related market conditions. The Company has designated certain foreign currency contracts as cash flow hedges for accounting purposes as of September 30, 2011. The Company also holds a derivative instrument contract to mitigate the risk of its deferred compensation liabilities. The Company uses raw materials that are subject to price volatility. The Company uses hedging instruments as it desires to reduce exposure to variability in cash flows associated with future purchases of zinc or other commodities. These instruments are designated as cash flow hedges for accounting purposes at September 30, 2011. The Company has interest rate risk with respect to interest expense on variable rate debt. During fiscal 2009, the Company entered into interest rate swap agreements which have been designated as cash flow hedges with two major financial institutions that fixed the variable benchmark component (LIBOR) of the Company’s interest rate on $300 of the Company’s variable rate debt through December 2012. See further discussion in Note 15 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Cash Equivalents - For purposes of the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, cash equivalents are all considered to be highly liquid investments with a maturity of three months or less when purchased.
Trade and Other Accounts Receivable, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Accounts Receivable Valuation – Accounts receivable are stated at their net realizable value. The allowance for doubtful accounts reflects the Company’s best estimate of probable losses inherent in the receivables portfolio determined on the basis of historical experience, specific allowances for known troubled accounts and other currently available information. Bad debt expense is included in Selling, general and administrative expense (SG&A) in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings.
Inventory, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Inventories - Inventories are valued at the lower of cost or market, with cost generally being determined using average cost or the first-in, first-out (FIFO) method. As part of the American Safety Razor (ASR) acquisition in fiscal 2011 and the shave preparation acquisition in fiscal 2009, the Company recorded an increase in the fair value of $7.0 and $3.7, respectively, to bring the carrying value of the inventory purchased to an amount which approximated the estimated selling price of the finished goods on hand at the acquisition closing date less the sum of (a) costs of disposal and (b) a reasonable profit allowance for the selling effort of the acquiring entity. As the inventory was sold during the first and second quarter of fiscal 2011 as it relates to the ASR acquisition, and during the fourth quarter as it relates to the shave preparation acquisition, the adjustments were charged to cost of products sold in the respective periods.
Internal Use Software, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Capitalized Software Costs - Capitalized software costs are included in other assets. These costs are amortized using the straight-line method over periods of related benefit ranging from three to seven years. Expenditures related to capitalized software are included in the Capital expenditures caption in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. Amortization expense was $5.2, $5.8 and $5.9 in fiscal 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.
Property, Plant and Equipment, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Property, Plant and Equipment, net – Property, plant and equipment is stated at historical costs. Property, plant and equipment acquired as part of a business combination is recorded at fair value. Expenditures for new facilities and expenditures that substantially increase the useful life of property, including interest during construction, are capitalized and reported in the Capital expenditures caption in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. Maintenance, repairs and minor renewals are expensed as incurred. When property is retired or otherwise disposed of, the related cost and accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts, and gains or losses on the disposition are reflected in earnings. Depreciation is generally provided on the straight-line basis by charges to costs or expenses at rates based on estimated useful lives. Estimated useful lives range from two to 25 years for machinery and equipment and three to 30 years for buildings and building improvements. Depreciation expense was $154.5, $119.3 and $111.0 in fiscal 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively. Estimated useful lives are periodically reviewed and, when appropriate, changes are made prospectively. When certain events or changes in operating conditions occur, asset lives may be adjusted and an impairment assessment may be performed on the recoverability of the carrying amounts.
Goodwill and Intangible Assets, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Goodwill and indefinite-lived intangibles are not amortized, but are evaluated annually for impairment as part of the Company's annual business planning cycle in the fourth quarter, or when indicators of a potential impairment are present. The fair value of each reporting unit is estimated using valuation models that incorporate assumptions and projections of expected future cash flows and operating plans. Intangible assets with finite lives, and a remaining weighted average life of approximately thirteen years, are amortized on a straight-line basis over expected lives of 3 years to 20 years. Such intangibles are also evaluated for impairment including ongoing monitoring of potential impairment indicators.
Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Impairment of Long-Lived Assets – The Company reviews long-lived assets, other than goodwill and other intangible assets for impairment, when events or changes in business circumstances indicate that the remaining useful life may warrant revision or that the carrying amount of the long-lived asset may not be fully recoverable. The Company performs undiscounted cash flow analysis to determine if impairment exists. If impairment is determined to exist, any related impairment loss is calculated based on fair value. Impairment losses on assets to be disposed of, if any, are based on the estimated proceeds to be received, less cost of disposal.
Revenue Recognition, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Revenue Recognition - The Company's revenue is from the sale of its products. Revenue is recognized when title, ownership and risk of loss pass to the customer. Discounts are offered to customers for early payment and an estimate of the discounts is recorded as a reduction of net sales in the same period as the sale. Our standard sales terms are final and returns or exchanges are not permitted unless a special exception is made; reserves are established and recorded in cases where the right of return does exist for a particular sale. Under certain circumstances, we allow customers to return sun care products that have not been sold by the end of the sun care season, which is normal practice in the sun care industry. We record sales at the time the title, ownership and risk of loss pass to the customer. The terms of these sales vary but, in all instances, the following conditions are met: the sales arrangement is evidenced by purchase orders submitted by customers; the selling price is fixed or determinable; title to the product has transferred; there is an obligation to pay at a specified date without any additional conditions or actions required by the Company; and collectability is reasonably assured. Simultaneously with the sale, we reduce sales and cost of sales, and reserve amounts on our consolidated balance sheet for anticipated returns based upon an estimated return level, in accordance with GAAP. Customers are required to pay for the sun care product purchased during the season under the required terms. We generally receive returns of U.S. sun care products from September through January following the summer sun care season. We estimate the level of sun care returns using a variety of inputs including historical experience, consumption trends during the sun care season and inventory positions at key retailers as the sun care season progresses. We monitor shipment activity and inventory levels at key retailers during the season in an effort to identify potential returns issues. This allows the Company to manage shipment activity to our customers, especially in the latter stages of the sun care season, to reduce the potential for returned product. The Company offers a variety of programs, such as consumer coupons and similar consumer rebate programs, primarily to its retail customers, designed to promote sales of its products. Such programs require periodic payments and allowances based on estimated results of specific programs and are recorded as a reduction to net sales. The Company accrues, at the time of sale, the estimated total payments and allowances associated with each transaction. Additionally, the Company offers programs directly to consumers to promote the sale of its products. Promotions which reduce the ultimate consumer sale prices are recorded as a reduction of net sales at the time the promotional offer is made, generally using estimated redemption and participation levels. Taxes we collect on behalf of governmental authorities, which are generally included in the price to the customer, are also recorded as a reduction of net sales. The Company continually assesses the adequacy of accruals for customer and consumer promotional program costs not yet paid. To the extent total program payments differ from estimates, adjustments may be necessary. Historically, these adjustments have not been material.
Advertising Costs, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Advertising and Promotion Costs – The Company advertises and promotes its products through national and regional media and expenses such activities in the year incurred.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Fair Values of Financial Instruments - Certain financial instruments are required to be recorded at fair value. Changes in assumptions or estimation methods could affect the fair value estimates; however, we do not believe any such changes would have a material impact on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. Other financial instruments including cash and cash equivalents and short-term borrowings, including notes payable, are recorded at cost, which approximates fair value. The fair values of long-term debt and financial instruments are disclosed in Note 15 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2011

Foreign Currency Transactions and Translations Policy [Policy Text Block]

Foreign Currency Translation - Financial statements of foreign operations where the local currency is the functional currency are translated using end-of-period exchange rates for assets and liabilities, and average exchange rates during the period for results of operations. Related translation adjustments are reported as a component within accumulated other comprehensive income in the shareholders’ equity section of the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

For foreign operations that are considered highly inflationary, translation practices differ in that inventories, properties, accumulated depreciation and depreciation expense are translated at historical rates of exchange, and translation adjustments for monetary assets and liabilities are included in earnings. Gains and losses from foreign currency transactions are generally included in earnings.

Effective January 1, 2010, the financial statements for our Venezuela subsidiary are consolidated under the rules governing the translation of financial information in a highly inflationary economy based on the use of the blended National Consumer Price Index in Venezuela. Under GAAP, an economy is considered highly inflationary if the cumulative inflation rate for a three year period meets or exceeds 100 percent. If a subsidiary is considered to be in a highly inflationary economy, the financial statements of the subsidiary must be re-measured into our reporting currency (U.S. dollar) and future exchange gains and losses from the re-measurement of monetary assets and liabilities are reflected in current earnings, rather than exclusively in the equity section of the balance sheet, until such time as the economy is no longer considered highly inflationary. For further information regarding the Company’s Venezuela affiliate, see Note 5 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Derivatives, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Financial Instruments and Derivative Securities - The Company uses financial instruments, from time to time, in the management of foreign currency, interest rate and other risks that are inherent to its business operations. Such instruments are not held or issued for trading purposes.

Foreign exchange (F/X) instruments, including currency forwards, are used primarily to reduce transaction exposures and, to a lesser extent, to manage other translation exposures. F/X instruments used are selected based on their risk reduction attributes and the related market conditions. The Company has designated certain foreign currency contracts as cash flow hedges for accounting purposes as of September 30, 2011.

The Company also holds a derivative instrument contract to mitigate the risk of its deferred compensation liabilities.

The Company uses raw materials that are subject to price volatility. The Company uses hedging instruments as it desires to reduce exposure to variability in cash flows associated with future purchases of zinc or other commodities. These instruments are designated as cash flow hedges for accounting purposes at September 30, 2011.

The Company has interest rate risk with respect to interest expense on variable rate debt. During fiscal 2009, the Company entered into interest rate swap agreements which have been designated as cash flow hedges with two major financial institutions that fixed the variable benchmark component (LIBOR) of the Company’s interest rate on $300 of the Company’s variable rate debt through December 2012.

See further discussion in Note 15 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Cash and Cash Equivalents, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Cash Equivalents - For purposes of the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, cash equivalents are all considered to be highly liquid investments with a maturity of three months or less when purchased.

Trade and Other Accounts Receivable, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Accounts Receivable Valuation – Accounts receivable are stated at their net realizable value. The allowance for doubtful accounts reflects the Company’s best estimate of probable losses inherent in the receivables portfolio determined on the basis of historical experience, specific allowances for known troubled accounts and other currently available information. Bad debt expense is included in Selling, general and administrative expense (SG&A) in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings.

Inventory, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Inventories - Inventories are valued at the lower of cost or market, with cost generally being determined using average cost or the first-in, first-out (FIFO) method.

As part of the American Safety Razor (ASR) acquisition in fiscal 2011 and the shave preparation acquisition in fiscal 2009, the Company recorded an increase in the fair value of $7.0 and $3.7, respectively, to bring the carrying value of the inventory purchased to an amount which approximated the estimated selling price of the finished goods on hand at the acquisition closing date less the sum of (a) costs of disposal and (b) a reasonable profit allowance for the selling effort of the acquiring entity. As the inventory was sold during the first and second quarter of fiscal 2011 as it relates to the ASR acquisition, and during the fourth quarter as it relates to the shave preparation acquisition, the adjustments were charged to cost of products sold in the respective periods.

Internal Use Software, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Capitalized Software Costs - Capitalized software costs are included in other assets. These costs are amortized using the straight-line method over periods of related benefit ranging from three to seven years. Expenditures related to capitalized software are included in the Capital expenditures caption in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. Amortization expense was $5.2, $5.8 and $5.9 in fiscal 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

Property, Plant and Equipment, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Property, Plant and Equipment, net – Property, plant and equipment is stated at historical costs. Property, plant and equipment acquired as part of a business combination is recorded at fair value. Expenditures for new facilities and expenditures that substantially increase the useful life of property, including interest during construction, are capitalized and reported in the Capital expenditures caption in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. Maintenance, repairs and minor renewals are expensed as incurred. When property is retired or otherwise disposed of, the related cost and accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts, and gains or losses on the disposition are reflected in earnings. Depreciation is generally provided on the straight-line basis by charges to costs or expenses at rates based on estimated useful lives. Estimated useful lives range from two to 25 years for machinery and equipment and three to 30 years for buildings and building improvements. Depreciation expense was $154.5, $119.3 and $111.0 in fiscal 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

Estimated useful lives are periodically reviewed and, when appropriate, changes are made prospectively. When certain events or changes in operating conditions occur, asset lives may be adjusted and an impairment assessment may be performed on the recoverability of the carrying amounts.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets - Goodwill and indefinite-lived intangibles are not amortized, but are evaluated annually for impairment as part of the Company's annual business planning cycle in the fourth quarter, or when indicators of a potential impairment are present. The fair value of each reporting unit is estimated using valuation models that incorporate assumptions and projections of expected future cash flows and operating plans. Intangible assets with finite lives, and a remaining weighted average life of approximately thirteen years, are amortized on a straight-line basis over expected lives of 3 years to 20 years. Such intangibles are also evaluated for impairment including ongoing monitoring of potential impairment indicators.

Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets – The Company reviews long-lived assets, other than goodwill and other intangible assets for impairment, when events or changes in business circumstances indicate that the remaining useful life may warrant revision or that the carrying amount of the long-lived asset may not be fully recoverable. The Company performs undiscounted cash flow analysis to determine if impairment exists. If impairment is determined to exist, any related impairment loss is calculated based on fair value. Impairment losses on assets to be disposed of, if any, are based on the estimated proceeds to be received, less cost of disposal.

Revenue Recognition, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Revenue Recognition - The Company's revenue is from the sale of its products. Revenue is recognized when title, ownership and risk of loss pass to the customer. Discounts are offered to customers for early payment and an estimate of the discounts is recorded as a reduction of net sales in the same period as the sale. Our standard sales terms are final and returns or exchanges are not permitted unless a special exception is made; reserves are established and recorded in cases where the right of return does exist for a particular sale.

Under certain circumstances, we allow customers to return sun care products that have not been sold by the end of the sun care season, which is normal practice in the sun care industry. We record sales at the time the title, ownership and risk of loss pass to the customer. The terms of these sales vary but, in all instances, the following conditions are met: the sales arrangement is evidenced by purchase orders submitted by customers; the selling price is fixed or determinable; title to the product has transferred; there is an obligation to pay at a specified date without any additional conditions or actions required by the Company; and collectability is reasonably assured. Simultaneously with the sale, we reduce sales and cost of sales, and reserve amounts on our consolidated balance sheet for anticipated returns based upon an estimated return level, in accordance with GAAP. Customers are required to pay for the sun care product purchased during the season under the required terms. We generally receive returns of U.S. sun care products from September through January following the summer sun care season. We estimate the level of sun care returns using a variety of inputs including historical experience, consumption trends during the sun care season and inventory positions at key retailers as the sun care season progresses. We monitor shipment activity and inventory levels at key retailers during the season in an effort to identify potential returns issues. This allows the Company to manage shipment activity to our customers, especially in the latter stages of the sun care season, to reduce the potential for returned product.

The Company offers a variety of programs, such as consumer coupons and similar consumer rebate programs, primarily to its retail customers, designed to promote sales of its products. Such programs require periodic payments and allowances based on estimated results of specific programs and are recorded as a reduction to net sales. The Company accrues, at the time of sale, the estimated total payments and allowances associated with each transaction. Additionally, the Company offers programs directly to consumers to promote the sale of its products. Promotions which reduce the ultimate consumer sale prices are recorded as a reduction of net sales at the time the promotional offer is made, generally using estimated redemption and participation levels. Taxes we collect on behalf of governmental authorities, which are generally included in the price to the customer, are also recorded as a reduction of net sales. The Company continually assesses the adequacy of accruals for customer and consumer promotional program costs not yet paid. To the extent total program payments differ from estimates, adjustments may be necessary. Historically, these adjustments have not been material.

Advertising Costs, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Advertising and Promotion Costs – The Company advertises and promotes its products through national and regional media and expenses such activities in the year incurred.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Fair Values of Financial Instruments - Certain financial instruments are required to be recorded at fair value. Changes in assumptions or estimation methods could affect the fair value estimates; however, we do not believe any such changes would have a material impact on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. Other financial instruments including cash and cash equivalents and short-term borrowings, including notes payable, are recorded at cost, which approximates fair value. The fair values of long-term debt and financial instruments are disclosed in Note 15 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.