Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011		Dec. 31, 2010		Dec. 31, 2009
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	$ 123		$ 110		$ 106
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent	2,431	[1]	2,203	[2]	2,291
Net income	2,554	[1]	2,313	[2]	2,397
Other comprehensive income, net of tax:
Cumulative translation adjustment	(305)		164		347
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Adjustment, Net of Tax	(108)		(143)		8
Other Comprehensive Income, Other, Net of Tax	46		(38)		27
Total Other comprehensive income, Net of Tax	(367)		(17)		382
Total comprehensive income	2,187		2,296		2,779
Colgate-Palmolive Company [Member]
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent	2,431		2,203		2,291
Other comprehensive income, net of tax:
Cumulative translation adjustment	(298)		162		346
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Adjustment, Net of Tax	(108)		(143)		8
Other Comprehensive Income, Other, Net of Tax	46		(38)		27
Total Other comprehensive income, Net of Tax	(360)		(19)		381
Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent	2,071		2,184		2,672
Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	123		110		106
Other comprehensive income, net of tax:
Cumulative translation adjustment	(7)		2		1
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Adjustment, Net of Tax	0		0		0
Other Comprehensive Income, Other, Net of Tax	0		0		0
Total Other comprehensive income, Net of Tax	(7)		2		1
Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax, Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	$ 116		$ 112		$ 107

[1] Net income including noncontrolling interests, Net income attributable to Colgate-Palmolive Company and earnings per share for the full year of 2011 include a $135 aftertax gain resulting from the sale of the Company's laundry detergent business in Colombia, $147 of aftertax charges for the implementation of various business realignment and other cost-saving initiatives, $9 of aftertax charges related to the sale of land in Mexico and a $21 charge for a competition law matter in France related to a divested detergent business.

[2] Net income including noncontrolling interests, Net income attributable to Colgate-Palmolive Company and earnings per share for the full year of 2010 include a $271 one-time charge related to the transition to hyperinflationary accounting in Venezuela, a $61 aftertax charge for termination benefits related to overhead reduction initiatives, a $30 aftertax gain on sales of non-core product lines and a $31 benefit related to the reorganization of an overseas subsidiary.