XML 27 R46.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v2.4.1.9
Acquisitions and Divestitures (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
3 Months Ended 12 Months Ended 0 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2014
Jun. 30, 2014
Mar. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Sep. 30, 2013
Jun. 30, 2013
Mar. 31, 2013
Sep. 30, 2012
Sep. 30, 2011
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2012
Oct. 03, 2014
MEXICO                          
Sale of Land in Mexico [Abstract]                          
First Installment received from the sale of land in Mexico                 $ 24cl_FirstInstallmentReceivedFromSaleOfLandInMexico
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= country_MX
       
Second Installment received from the sale of land in Mexico               36cl_SecondInstallmentReceivedFromSaleOfLandInMexico
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= country_MX
         
Pretax costs related to sale of land in Mexico                   4cl_PretaxCostsRelatedToSaleOfLand
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= country_MX
18cl_PretaxCostsRelatedToSaleOfLand
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= country_MX
24cl_PretaxCostsRelatedToSaleOfLand
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= country_MX
 
Aftertax costs related to sale of land 1cl_AftertaxCostsRelatedToSaleOfLand
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= country_MX
1cl_AftertaxCostsRelatedToSaleOfLand
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= country_MX
1cl_AftertaxCostsRelatedToSaleOfLand
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= country_MX
3cl_AftertaxCostsRelatedToSaleOfLand
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= country_MX
2cl_AftertaxCostsRelatedToSaleOfLand
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= country_MX
4cl_AftertaxCostsRelatedToSaleOfLand
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= country_MX
3cl_AftertaxCostsRelatedToSaleOfLand
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= country_MX
    3cl_AftertaxCostsRelatedToSaleOfLand
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= country_MX
12cl_AftertaxCostsRelatedToSaleOfLand
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= country_MX
18cl_AftertaxCostsRelatedToSaleOfLand
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= country_MX
 
Oral Care Member | MYANMAR                          
Business Acquisition [Line Items]                          
Cash consideration for acquisition of business                         $ 62us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireBusinessesGross
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= cl_OralCareMember
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= country_MM