Segment Information (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Percentage Of Consolidated Net sales Represented By Caricom and Puerto Rico Subsidiary	1.00%
Percentage Of North America's Net sales Represented By Caricom and Puerto Rico Subsidiary		4.00%
Percentage Of Latin America's Net sales Represented By Caricom and Puerto Rico Subsidiary	3.00%
Total Net sales	$ 4,315	$ 4,200
Total Operating profit	742	938
PretaxVenezuelaDevaluationCharge	172	0
Pretax costs related to sale of land	5	7
Costs before tax associated with various Business Realignment and other cost-saving initiatives		5
Oral, Personal and Home Care [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total Net sales	3,781	3,658
Total Operating profit	975	930
Pet Nutrition [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total Net sales	534	542
Total Operating profit	136	148
Corporate [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total Operating profit	(369)	(140)
North America [Member] | Oral, Personal and Home Care [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total Net sales	764	724
Total Operating profit	215	177
Latin America [Member] | Oral, Personal and Home Care [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total Net sales	1,214	1,201
Total Operating profit	312	350
Europe/South Pacific [Member] | Oral, Personal and Home Care [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total Net sales	848	854
Total Operating profit	200	183
Greater Asia/Africa [Member] | Oral, Personal and Home Care [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total Net sales	955	879
Total Operating profit	248	220
Two Thousand Twelve Restructuring Program [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Restructuring and Related Cost, Incurred Cost	$ 66