Segment Information (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2011
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total Net sales	$ 4,267	$ 4,185	$ 8,467	$ 8,179
Total Operating profit	982	968	1,920	1,883
Pretax costs related to sale of land	6		13		13
Costs before tax associated with various Business Realignment and other cost-saving initiatives	13		18
Oral, Personal and Home Care [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total Net sales	3,736	3,648	7,394	7,108
Total Operating profit	962	923	1,892	1,829
Pet Nutrition [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total Net sales	531	537	1,073	1,071
Total Operating profit	145	140	293	281
Corporate [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total Operating profit	(125)	(95)	(265)	(227)
North America [Member] | Oral, Personal and Home Care [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total Net sales	758	744	1,513	1,462
Total Operating profit	196	194	379	386
Latin America [Member] | Oral, Personal and Home Care [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total Net sales	1,269	1,231	2,439	2,328
Total Operating profit	367	360	711	686
Europe/South Pacific [Member] | Oral, Personal and Home Care [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total Net sales	850	857	1,704	1,689
Total Operating profit	179	170	362	355
Greater Asia/Africa [Member] | Oral, Personal and Home Care [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total Net sales	859	816	1,738	1,629
Total Operating profit	$ 220	$ 199	$ 440	$ 402