The term of a debt instrument when the issuer is required to repay the debt instrument or convert the debt instrument to equity, which may be presented in a variety of ways (year only, month and year, day, month and year, quarter, etc.).

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Namespace Prefix:	cl
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Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The stated principal amount of the debt instrument at time of issuance, which may vary from the carrying amount because of unamortized premium or discount.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher AICPA

-Name Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB)

-Number 21

-Paragraph 16, 20

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Interest rate stated in the contractual debt agreement.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 22

-Article 5

+ Details

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Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems
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Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
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- Definition

This element represents a certain statement of financial position liability caption which represents a class of liabilities, or which may include an individual liability, measured at fair value on a recurring basis.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 157

-Paragraph 32

-Subparagraph a

+ Details

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Period Type:	instant

Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurements (Details 2) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2011 Carrying Value [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Carrying Value [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]	Dec. 31, 2010 Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]	Jun. 30, 2011 Notes Fixed Rate 2.625% [Member]	Jun. 30, 2011 Notes Fixed Rate 1.25% [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt	$ 4,689	$ 3,376	$ 5,020	$ 3,613
Face amount					$ 250	$ 250
Term of notes					6 years	3 years
Interest rate on notes issued (in hundredths)					2.625%	1.25%