CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (Unaudited) (USD $) In Millions, except Per Share data	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (Unaudited) [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 4,383	$ 3,943	$ 12,562	$ 11,586
Cost of sales	1,921	1,599	5,365	4,732
Gross profit	2,462	2,344	7,197	6,854
Selling, general and administrative expenses	1,489	1,391	4,314	4,038
Other (income) expense, net	(62)	(5)	(35)	232
Operating profit	1,035	958	2,918	2,584
Interest expense, net	10	13	37	43
Income before income taxes	1,025	945	2,881	2,541
Provision for income taxes	349	300	952	879
Net income including noncontrolling interests	676	645	1,929	1,662
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	33	26	88	83
Net income attributable to Colgate-Palmolive Company	$ 643	$ 619	$ 1,841	$ 1,579
Earnings per common share, basic (in dollars per share)	$ 1.32	$ 1.26	$ 3.76	$ 3.17
Earnings per common share, diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 1.31	$ 1.21	$ 3.73	$ 3.07
Dividends declared per common share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.58	$ 0.53	$ 1.69	$ 1.50