Name:	cl_CostMethodInvestmentOwnershipPercentageMaximum
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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_
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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
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Period Type:	instant

Name:	cl_PrinciplesOfConsolidationAbstract
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Period Type:	duration

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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://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.12)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 323

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 1

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

Name:	us-gaap_InventoryNetAbstract
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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.

Name:	us-gaap_PercentageOfFIFOInventory
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Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

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The maximum useful life of long-lived, physical assets used in the normal conduct of business and not intended for resale. Examples include land, buildings, machinery and equipment, and other types of furniture and equipment including, but not limited to, office equipment, furniture and fixtures, and computer equipment and software.

No definition available.

Name:	us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentUsefulLifeMaximum
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Data Type:	xbrli:decimalItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

The minimum useful life of long lived, physical assets used in the normal conduct of business and not intended for resale. Examples include land, buildings, machinery and equipment, and other types of furniture and equipment including, but not limited to, office equipment, furniture and fixtures, and computer equipment and software.

No definition available.

Name:	us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentUsefulLifeMinimum
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:decimalItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Cost incurred during the reporting period in transporting goods and services to customers. Includes freight-out costs.

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 605

-SubTopic 45

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6408413&loc=d3e221937-122793

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF)

-Number 00-10

-Paragraph 6

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 235

-SubTopic 10

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Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Glossary Shipping Costs

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6525344

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher AICPA

-Name Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB)

-Number 22

-Paragraph 8

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 605

-SubTopic 45

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

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Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 605

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Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

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-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Glossary Handling Costs

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6514758