Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011		Dec. 31, 2010		Dec. 31, 2009
Operating Activities
Net Income including noncontrolling interests	$ 2,554	[1]	$ 2,313	[2]	$ 2,397
Adjustments to reconcile net income including noncontrolling interests to net cash provided by operations:
Depreciation and amortization	421		376		351
Restructuring and termination benefits, net of cash	103		86		(18)
Venezuela hyperinflationary transition charge	0		271		0
Gain before tax on sales of non-core product lines	(207)		(50)		(5)
Voluntary benefit plan contributions	(178)		(35)		(73)
Stock-based compensation expense	122		121		117
Deferred income taxes	88		29		(23)
Cash effects of changes in:
Receivables	(130)		40		57
Inventories	(130)		(10)		44
Accounts payable and other accruals	199		(65)		294
Other non-current assets and liabilities	54		135		136
Net cash provided by operations	2,896		3,211		3,277
Investing Activities
Capital expenditures	(537)		(550)		(575)
Sale of property and non-core product lines	263		42		17
Purchases of marketable securities and investments	(356)		(308)		(289)
Proceeds from sale of marketable securities and investments	423		167		0
Payment for acquisitions, net of cash acquired	(966)		0		0
Other	(40)		(9)		6
Net cash used in investing activities	(1,213)		(658)		(841)
Financing Activities
Principal payments on debt	(4,429)		(4,719)		(3,950)
Proceeds from issuance of debt	5,843		5,015		3,424
Dividends paid	(1,203)		(1,142)		(981)
Purchases of treasury shares	(1,806)		(2,020)		(1,063)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options and excess tax benefits	353		242		300
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities	(1,242)		(2,624)		(2,270)
Effect of exchange rate changes on Cash and cash equivalents	(53)		(39)		(121)
Net increase (decrease) in Cash and cash equivalents	388		(110)		45
Cash and Cash Equivalents at beginning of the period	490		600		555
Cash and Cash Equivalents at end of the period	878		490		600
Supplemental Cash Flow Information
Income taxes paid	1,007		1,123		1,098
Interest Paid	58		70		98
Principal Payments On Esop Debt Guaranteed By The Company	$ 0		$ 0		$ 74

[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.