Earnings Per Share (Details) (USD $) In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended												12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011		Sep. 30, 2011		Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010		Sep. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2010	Mar. 31, 2010		Dec. 31, 2011		Dec. 31, 2010		Dec. 31, 2009	Dec. 29, 2010
Income [Abstract]
Net Income attributable to Colgate-Palmolive Company	$ 590	[1]	$ 643	[2]	$ 622	$ 576	$ 624	[3]	$ 619	$ 603	$ 357	[4]	$ 2,431	[5]	$ 2,203	[6]	$ 2,291
Preferred dividends													0		(34)		(30)
Basic EPS													2,431		2,169		2,261
Convertible preference stock													0		34		30
Diluted EPS													$ 2,431		$ 2,203		$ 2,291
Shares [Abstract]
Basic EPS (in shares)													488,300,000		487,800,000		499,500,000
Stock options and restricted stock (in shares)													3,700,000		3,300,000		3,800,000
Convertible preference stock (in shares)													0		19,800,000		21,300,000
Diluted EPS (in shares)													492,000,000		510,900,000		524,600,000
Per Share [Abstract]
Basic EPS (in dollars per share)	$ 1.22	[1]	$ 1.32	[2]	$ 1.27	$ 1.17	$ 1.28	[3]	$ 1.26	$ 1.21	$ 0.71	[4]	$ 4.98	[5]	$ 4.45	[6]	$ 4.53
Diluted EPS (in dollars per share)	$ 1.21	[1]	$ 1.31	[2]	$ 1.26	$ 1.16	$ 1.24	[3]	$ 1.21	$ 1.17	$ 0.69	[4]	$ 4.94	[5]	$ 4.31	[6]	$ 4.37
Average number of anti-dilutive shares (in shares)													1,531,768		67,565		5,794,326
Preference stock retired (in shares)																		2,405,192
Common stock converted (in shares)																		19,241,536

[1] Net income including noncontrolling interests, Net income attributable to Colgate-Palmolive Company and earnings per share for the fourth quarter of 2011 includes $19 of aftertax charges for the implementation of various business realignment and other cost-saving initiatives, $4 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 third quarter of 2011 include a $135 aftertax gain resulting from the sale of the Company's laundry detergent business in Colombia, $128 of aftertax charges for the implementation of various business realignment and other cost-saving initiatives and $5 of aftertax charges related to the sale of land in Mexico.

[3] Net income including noncontrolling interests, Net income attributable to Colgate-Palmolive Company and earnings per share for the fourth quarter of 2010 include $61 of aftertax charges 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.

[4] Net income including noncontrolling interests, Net income attributable to Colgate-Palmolive Company and earnings per share for the first quarter of 2010 include a $271 one-time charge related to the transition to hyperinflationary accounting in Venezuela.

[5] 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.

[6] 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.