CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019	Jun. 30, 2020	Jun. 30, 2019
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 3,897	$ 3,866	$ 7,994	$ 7,750
Cost of sales	1,528	1,558	3,160	3,155
Gross profit	2,369	2,308	4,834	4,595
Selling, general and administrative expenses	1,395	1,369	2,868	2,734
Other (income) expense, net	28	51	68	94
Operating profit	946	888	1,898	1,767
Non-service related postretirement costs	20	27	41	52
Interest (income) expense, net	35	38	71	78
Income before income taxes	891	823	1,786	1,637
Provision for income taxes	216	205	363	419
Net income including noncontrolling interests	675	618	1,423	1,218
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	40	32	73	72
Net income attributable to Colgate-Palmolive Company	$ 635	$ 586	$ 1,350	$ 1,146
Earnings per common share, basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.74	$ 0.68	$ 1.58	$ 1.33
Earnings per common share, diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.74	$ 0.68	$ 1.57	$ 1.33