CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 4,153	$ 3,928	$ 12,147	$ 11,678
Cost of sales	1,613	1,612	4,773	4,767
Gross profit	2,540	2,316	7,374	6,911
Selling, general and administrative expenses	1,518	1,429	4,386	4,163
Other (income) expense, net	4	31	72	125
Operating profit	1,018	856	2,916	2,623
Non-service related postretirement costs	15	27	56	79
Interest (income) expense, net	36	35	107	113
Income before income taxes	967	794	2,753	2,431
Provision for income taxes	222	167	585	586
Net income including noncontrolling interests	745	627	2,168	1,845
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	47	49	120	121
Net income attributable to Colgate-Palmolive Company	$ 698	$ 578	$ 2,048	$ 1,724
Earnings per common share, basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.81	$ 0.67	$ 2.39	$ 2.00
Earnings per common share, diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.81	$ 0.67	$ 2.38	$ 2.00