Comprehensive Income (Details) (USD $) In Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010
Components Of Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Net income including noncontrolling interests	$ 676	$ 645	$ 1,929	$ 1,662
Net income (Loss) attributable to Colgate-Palmolive Company	643	619	1,841	1,579
Net income (Loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	33	26	88	83
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax:
Cumulative translation adjustment	(483)	311	(186)	129
Retirement Plan and other retiree benefit adjustments	29	(332)	57	(310)
Gains (losses) on cash flow hedges	0	(3)	(4)	(7)
Other	(2)	(5)	46	(21)
Total Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	(456)	(29)	(87)	(209)
Comprehensive income	220	616	1,842	1,453
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Amendment [Abstract]
Impact From Remeasurement Of Benefit Obligations And Assets Of Each Affected Plan Pre Tax		(550)
Impact From Remeasurement Of Benefit Obligations And Assets Of Each Affected Plan After Tax		(344)
Colgate-Palmolive Company [Member]
Components Of Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Net income (Loss) attributable to Colgate-Palmolive Company	643	619	1,841	1,579
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax:
Cumulative translation adjustment	(478)	307	(183)	126
Retirement Plan and other retiree benefit adjustments	29	(332)	57	(310)
Gains (losses) on cash flow hedges	0	(3)	(4)	(7)
Other	(2)	(5)	46	(21)
Total Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	(451)	(33)	(84)	(212)
Comprehensive Income	192	586	1,757	1,367
Noncontrolling Interests [Member]
Components Of Comprehensive Income [Line Items]
Net income (Loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	33	26	88	83
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax:
Cumulative translation adjustment	(5)	4	(3)	3
Retirement Plan and other retiree benefit adjustments	0	0	0	0
Gains (losses) on cash flow hedges	0	0	0	0
Other	0	0	0	0
Total Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	(5)	4	(3)	3
Comprehensive Income	$ 28	$ 30	$ 85	$ 86