Name:	cl_CostMethodInvestmentOwnershipPercentageMaximum
Namespace Prefix:	cl_
Data Type:	dtr-types:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

The maximum percentage of ownership of common stock or equity participation in the investee accounted for under the equity method of accounting.

No definition available.

Name:	cl_EquityMethodInvestmentOwnershipPercentageMaximum
Namespace Prefix:	cl_
Data Type:	dtr-types:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

The minimum percentage of ownership of common stock or equity participation in the investee accounted for under the equity method of accounting.

No definition available.

Name:	cl_EquityMethodInvestmentOwnershipPercentageMinimum
Namespace Prefix:	cl_
Data Type:	dtr-types:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- References

No definition available.

Name:	us-gaap_AccountingPoliciesAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

This item represents the carrying amount on the entity's balance sheet of its investment in common stock of an equity method investee. This is not an indicator of the fair value of the investment, rather it is the initial cost adjusted for the entity's share of earnings and losses of the investee, adjusted for any distributions (dividends) and other than temporary impairment (OTTI) losses recognized.

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 323
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 1
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109237563&loc=d3e33749-111570

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02(10))
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=120391452&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 280
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 25
-Subparagraph (a)
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=126901519&loc=d3e8813-108599

Name:	us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestments
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

The percentage of FIFO (first in first out) inventory to total inventory as of the balance sheet date if other than 100 percent.

No definition available.