Shareholders' Equity (Details) (USD $) In Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended				9 Months Ended					3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010	Sep. 30, 2011 Common Stock [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Common Stock [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Additional Paid-In Capital [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Unearned Compensation [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Treasury Stock [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Retained Earnings [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Noncontrolling Interests [Member]	Sep. 30, 2010 Noncontrolling Interests [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Noncontrolling Interests [Member]	Sep. 30, 2010 Noncontrolling Interests [Member]
Changes in Shareholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Balance			$ 2,817		$ 733	$ 733	$ 1,132	$ (99)	$ (11,305)	$ 14,329	$ (2,115)			$ 142
Net income (Loss) attributable to Colgate-Palmolive Company	643	619	1,841	1,579						1,841
Net income (Loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	33	26	88	83								33	26	88	83
Other comprehensive income, net of tax	(456)	(29)	(87)	(209)							(84)	(5)	4	(3)	3
Dividends										(826)				(24)
Stock-based compensation expense							102
Shares issued for stock options							75		222
Stock issued for restricted stock awards							(49)		49
Treasury stock acquired									(1,386)
Other							8	40
Balance	$ 2,870		$ 2,870		$ 733	$ 733	$ 1,268	$ (59)	$ (12,420)	$ 15,344	$ (2,199)	$ 203		$ 203