Consolidated Statements of Income - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 15,693	$ 15,544	$ 15,454
Cost of sales	6,368	6,313	6,174
Gross profit	9,325	9,231	9,280
Selling, general and administrative expenses	5,575	5,389	5,400
Other (income) expense, net	196	148	173
Operating profit	3,554	3,694	3,707
Non-service related postretirement costs	108	87	118
Interest (income) expense, net	145	143	102
Income before income taxes	3,301	3,464	3,487
Provision for income taxes	774	906	1,313
Net income including noncontrolling interests	2,527	2,558	2,174
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	160	158	150
Net income attributable to Colgate-Palmolive Company	$ 2,367	$ 2,400	$ 2,024
Earnings per common share, basic (in dollars per share)	$ 2.76	$ 2.76	$ 2.30
Earnings per common share, diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 2.75	$ 2.75	$ 2.28