XML 90 R51.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v2.4.1.9
Restructuring and Related Implementation Charges (Details 4) (Two Thousand Twelve Restructuring Program [Member], USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2012
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]      
Beginning Balance $ 158us-gaap_RestructuringReserve $ 89us-gaap_RestructuringReserve $ 0us-gaap_RestructuringReserve
Charges 286us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostIncurredCost 371us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostIncurredCost 89us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostIncurredCost
Cash Payments (212)us-gaap_PaymentsForRestructuring (169)us-gaap_PaymentsForRestructuring (5)us-gaap_PaymentsForRestructuring
Charges against assets (31)cl_RestructuringReserveChargesAgainstAssets (44)cl_RestructuringReserveChargesAgainstAssets 0cl_RestructuringReserveChargesAgainstAssets
Foreign exchange (9)us-gaap_RestructuringReserveTranslationAdjustment 2us-gaap_RestructuringReserveTranslationAdjustment 5us-gaap_RestructuringReserveTranslationAdjustment
Other 0us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanCurtailments (91)us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanCurtailments  
Ending Balance 192us-gaap_RestructuringReserve 158us-gaap_RestructuringReserve 89us-gaap_RestructuringReserve
One-time Termination Benefits [Member]      
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]      
Beginning Balance 116us-gaap_RestructuringReserve
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= us-gaap_OneTimeTerminationBenefitsMember
/ us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis
= cl_TwoThousandTwelveRestructuringProgramMember
84us-gaap_RestructuringReserve
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= us-gaap_OneTimeTerminationBenefitsMember
/ us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis
= cl_TwoThousandTwelveRestructuringProgramMember
0us-gaap_RestructuringReserve
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= us-gaap_OneTimeTerminationBenefitsMember
/ us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis
= cl_TwoThousandTwelveRestructuringProgramMember
Charges 73us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostIncurredCost
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= us-gaap_OneTimeTerminationBenefitsMember
/ us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis
= cl_TwoThousandTwelveRestructuringProgramMember
144us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostIncurredCost
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= us-gaap_OneTimeTerminationBenefitsMember
/ us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis
= cl_TwoThousandTwelveRestructuringProgramMember
78us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostIncurredCost
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= us-gaap_OneTimeTerminationBenefitsMember
/ us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis
= cl_TwoThousandTwelveRestructuringProgramMember
Cash Payments (95)us-gaap_PaymentsForRestructuring
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= us-gaap_OneTimeTerminationBenefitsMember
/ us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis
= cl_TwoThousandTwelveRestructuringProgramMember
(97)us-gaap_PaymentsForRestructuring
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= us-gaap_OneTimeTerminationBenefitsMember
/ us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis
= cl_TwoThousandTwelveRestructuringProgramMember
(1)us-gaap_PaymentsForRestructuring
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= us-gaap_OneTimeTerminationBenefitsMember
/ us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis
= cl_TwoThousandTwelveRestructuringProgramMember
Charges against assets (5)cl_RestructuringReserveChargesAgainstAssets
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= us-gaap_OneTimeTerminationBenefitsMember
/ us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis
= cl_TwoThousandTwelveRestructuringProgramMember
(17)cl_RestructuringReserveChargesAgainstAssets
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= us-gaap_OneTimeTerminationBenefitsMember
/ us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis
= cl_TwoThousandTwelveRestructuringProgramMember
0cl_RestructuringReserveChargesAgainstAssets
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= us-gaap_OneTimeTerminationBenefitsMember
/ us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis
= cl_TwoThousandTwelveRestructuringProgramMember
Foreign exchange (4)us-gaap_RestructuringReserveTranslationAdjustment
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= us-gaap_OneTimeTerminationBenefitsMember
/ us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis
= cl_TwoThousandTwelveRestructuringProgramMember
2us-gaap_RestructuringReserveTranslationAdjustment
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= us-gaap_OneTimeTerminationBenefitsMember
/ us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis
= cl_TwoThousandTwelveRestructuringProgramMember
7us-gaap_RestructuringReserveTranslationAdjustment
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= us-gaap_OneTimeTerminationBenefitsMember
/ us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis
= cl_TwoThousandTwelveRestructuringProgramMember
Other 0us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanCurtailments
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= us-gaap_OneTimeTerminationBenefitsMember
/ us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis
= cl_TwoThousandTwelveRestructuringProgramMember
0us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanCurtailments
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= us-gaap_OneTimeTerminationBenefitsMember
/ us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis
= cl_TwoThousandTwelveRestructuringProgramMember
 
Ending Balance 85us-gaap_RestructuringReserve
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= us-gaap_OneTimeTerminationBenefitsMember
/ us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis
= cl_TwoThousandTwelveRestructuringProgramMember
116us-gaap_RestructuringReserve
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= us-gaap_OneTimeTerminationBenefitsMember
/ us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis
= cl_TwoThousandTwelveRestructuringProgramMember
84us-gaap_RestructuringReserve
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= us-gaap_OneTimeTerminationBenefitsMember
/ us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis
= cl_TwoThousandTwelveRestructuringProgramMember
Incremental Depreciation [Member]      
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]      
Beginning Balance 0us-gaap_RestructuringReserve
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= cl_IncrementalDepreciationMember
/ us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis
= cl_TwoThousandTwelveRestructuringProgramMember
0us-gaap_RestructuringReserve
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= cl_IncrementalDepreciationMember
/ us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis
= cl_TwoThousandTwelveRestructuringProgramMember
0us-gaap_RestructuringReserve
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= cl_IncrementalDepreciationMember
/ us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis
= cl_TwoThousandTwelveRestructuringProgramMember
Charges 25us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostIncurredCost
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= cl_IncrementalDepreciationMember
/ us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis
= cl_TwoThousandTwelveRestructuringProgramMember
26us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostIncurredCost
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= cl_IncrementalDepreciationMember
/ us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis
= cl_TwoThousandTwelveRestructuringProgramMember
0us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostIncurredCost
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= cl_IncrementalDepreciationMember
/ us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis
= cl_TwoThousandTwelveRestructuringProgramMember
Cash Payments 0us-gaap_PaymentsForRestructuring
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= cl_IncrementalDepreciationMember
/ us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis
= cl_TwoThousandTwelveRestructuringProgramMember
0us-gaap_PaymentsForRestructuring
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= cl_IncrementalDepreciationMember
/ us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis
= cl_TwoThousandTwelveRestructuringProgramMember
0us-gaap_PaymentsForRestructuring
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= cl_IncrementalDepreciationMember
/ us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis
= cl_TwoThousandTwelveRestructuringProgramMember
Charges against assets (25)cl_RestructuringReserveChargesAgainstAssets
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= cl_IncrementalDepreciationMember
/ us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis
= cl_TwoThousandTwelveRestructuringProgramMember
(26)cl_RestructuringReserveChargesAgainstAssets
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= cl_IncrementalDepreciationMember
/ us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis
= cl_TwoThousandTwelveRestructuringProgramMember
0cl_RestructuringReserveChargesAgainstAssets
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= cl_IncrementalDepreciationMember
/ us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis
= cl_TwoThousandTwelveRestructuringProgramMember
Foreign exchange 0us-gaap_RestructuringReserveTranslationAdjustment
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= cl_IncrementalDepreciationMember
/ us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis
= cl_TwoThousandTwelveRestructuringProgramMember
0us-gaap_RestructuringReserveTranslationAdjustment
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= cl_IncrementalDepreciationMember
/ us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis
= cl_TwoThousandTwelveRestructuringProgramMember
0us-gaap_RestructuringReserveTranslationAdjustment
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= cl_IncrementalDepreciationMember
/ us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis
= cl_TwoThousandTwelveRestructuringProgramMember
Other 0us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanCurtailments
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= cl_IncrementalDepreciationMember
/ us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis
= cl_TwoThousandTwelveRestructuringProgramMember
0us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanCurtailments
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= cl_IncrementalDepreciationMember
/ us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis
= cl_TwoThousandTwelveRestructuringProgramMember
 
Ending Balance 0us-gaap_RestructuringReserve
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= cl_IncrementalDepreciationMember
/ us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis
= cl_TwoThousandTwelveRestructuringProgramMember
0us-gaap_RestructuringReserve
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= cl_IncrementalDepreciationMember
/ us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis
= cl_TwoThousandTwelveRestructuringProgramMember
0us-gaap_RestructuringReserve
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= cl_IncrementalDepreciationMember
/ us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis
= cl_TwoThousandTwelveRestructuringProgramMember
Asset Impairment [Member]      
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]      
Beginning Balance 0us-gaap_RestructuringReserve
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= cl_AssetImpairmentMember
/ us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis
= cl_TwoThousandTwelveRestructuringProgramMember
0us-gaap_RestructuringReserve
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= cl_AssetImpairmentMember
/ us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis
= cl_TwoThousandTwelveRestructuringProgramMember
0us-gaap_RestructuringReserve
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= cl_AssetImpairmentMember
/ us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis
= cl_TwoThousandTwelveRestructuringProgramMember
Charges 1us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostIncurredCost
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= cl_AssetImpairmentMember
/ us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis
= cl_TwoThousandTwelveRestructuringProgramMember
1us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostIncurredCost
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= cl_AssetImpairmentMember
/ us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis
= cl_TwoThousandTwelveRestructuringProgramMember
0us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostIncurredCost
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= cl_AssetImpairmentMember
/ us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis
= cl_TwoThousandTwelveRestructuringProgramMember
Cash Payments 0us-gaap_PaymentsForRestructuring
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= cl_AssetImpairmentMember
/ us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis
= cl_TwoThousandTwelveRestructuringProgramMember
0us-gaap_PaymentsForRestructuring
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= cl_AssetImpairmentMember
/ us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis
= cl_TwoThousandTwelveRestructuringProgramMember
0us-gaap_PaymentsForRestructuring
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= cl_AssetImpairmentMember
/ us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis
= cl_TwoThousandTwelveRestructuringProgramMember
Charges against assets (1)cl_RestructuringReserveChargesAgainstAssets
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= cl_AssetImpairmentMember
/ us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis
= cl_TwoThousandTwelveRestructuringProgramMember
(1)cl_RestructuringReserveChargesAgainstAssets
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= cl_AssetImpairmentMember
/ us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis
= cl_TwoThousandTwelveRestructuringProgramMember
0cl_RestructuringReserveChargesAgainstAssets
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= cl_AssetImpairmentMember
/ us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis
= cl_TwoThousandTwelveRestructuringProgramMember
Foreign exchange 0us-gaap_RestructuringReserveTranslationAdjustment
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= cl_AssetImpairmentMember
/ us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis
= cl_TwoThousandTwelveRestructuringProgramMember
0us-gaap_RestructuringReserveTranslationAdjustment
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= cl_AssetImpairmentMember
/ us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis
= cl_TwoThousandTwelveRestructuringProgramMember
0us-gaap_RestructuringReserveTranslationAdjustment
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= cl_AssetImpairmentMember
/ us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis
= cl_TwoThousandTwelveRestructuringProgramMember
Other 0us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanCurtailments
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= cl_AssetImpairmentMember
/ us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis
= cl_TwoThousandTwelveRestructuringProgramMember
0us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanCurtailments
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= cl_AssetImpairmentMember
/ us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis
= cl_TwoThousandTwelveRestructuringProgramMember
 
Ending Balance 0us-gaap_RestructuringReserve
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= cl_AssetImpairmentMember
/ us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis
= cl_TwoThousandTwelveRestructuringProgramMember
0us-gaap_RestructuringReserve
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= cl_AssetImpairmentMember
/ us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis
= cl_TwoThousandTwelveRestructuringProgramMember
0us-gaap_RestructuringReserve
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= cl_AssetImpairmentMember
/ us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis
= cl_TwoThousandTwelveRestructuringProgramMember
Other Restructuring [Member]      
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]      
Beginning Balance 42us-gaap_RestructuringReserve
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= us-gaap_OtherRestructuringMember
/ us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis
= cl_TwoThousandTwelveRestructuringProgramMember
5us-gaap_RestructuringReserve
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= us-gaap_OtherRestructuringMember
/ us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis
= cl_TwoThousandTwelveRestructuringProgramMember
0us-gaap_RestructuringReserve
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= us-gaap_OtherRestructuringMember
/ us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis
= cl_TwoThousandTwelveRestructuringProgramMember
Charges 187us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostIncurredCost
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= us-gaap_OtherRestructuringMember
/ us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis
= cl_TwoThousandTwelveRestructuringProgramMember
200us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostIncurredCost
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= us-gaap_OtherRestructuringMember
/ us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis
= cl_TwoThousandTwelveRestructuringProgramMember
11us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostIncurredCost
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= us-gaap_OtherRestructuringMember
/ us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis
= cl_TwoThousandTwelveRestructuringProgramMember
Cash Payments (117)us-gaap_PaymentsForRestructuring
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= us-gaap_OtherRestructuringMember
/ us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis
= cl_TwoThousandTwelveRestructuringProgramMember
(72)us-gaap_PaymentsForRestructuring
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= us-gaap_OtherRestructuringMember
/ us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis
= cl_TwoThousandTwelveRestructuringProgramMember
(4)us-gaap_PaymentsForRestructuring
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= us-gaap_OtherRestructuringMember
/ us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis
= cl_TwoThousandTwelveRestructuringProgramMember
Charges against assets 0cl_RestructuringReserveChargesAgainstAssets
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= us-gaap_OtherRestructuringMember
/ us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis
= cl_TwoThousandTwelveRestructuringProgramMember
0cl_RestructuringReserveChargesAgainstAssets
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= us-gaap_OtherRestructuringMember
/ us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis
= cl_TwoThousandTwelveRestructuringProgramMember
0cl_RestructuringReserveChargesAgainstAssets
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= us-gaap_OtherRestructuringMember
/ us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis
= cl_TwoThousandTwelveRestructuringProgramMember
Foreign exchange (5)us-gaap_RestructuringReserveTranslationAdjustment
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= us-gaap_OtherRestructuringMember
/ us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis
= cl_TwoThousandTwelveRestructuringProgramMember
0us-gaap_RestructuringReserveTranslationAdjustment
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= us-gaap_OtherRestructuringMember
/ us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis
= cl_TwoThousandTwelveRestructuringProgramMember
(2)us-gaap_RestructuringReserveTranslationAdjustment
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= us-gaap_OtherRestructuringMember
/ us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis
= cl_TwoThousandTwelveRestructuringProgramMember
Other 0us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanCurtailments
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= us-gaap_OtherRestructuringMember
/ us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis
= cl_TwoThousandTwelveRestructuringProgramMember
(91)us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanCurtailments
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= us-gaap_OtherRestructuringMember
/ us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis
= cl_TwoThousandTwelveRestructuringProgramMember
 
Ending Balance 107us-gaap_RestructuringReserve
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= us-gaap_OtherRestructuringMember
/ us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis
= cl_TwoThousandTwelveRestructuringProgramMember
42us-gaap_RestructuringReserve
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= us-gaap_OtherRestructuringMember
/ us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis
= cl_TwoThousandTwelveRestructuringProgramMember
5us-gaap_RestructuringReserve
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= us-gaap_OtherRestructuringMember
/ us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis
= cl_TwoThousandTwelveRestructuringProgramMember
Third party Incremental Cost [Member]      
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]      
Charges 65us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostIncurredCost
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= cl_ThirdPartyIncrementalCostMember
/ us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis
= cl_TwoThousandTwelveRestructuringProgramMember
50us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostIncurredCost
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= cl_ThirdPartyIncrementalCostMember
/ us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis
= cl_TwoThousandTwelveRestructuringProgramMember
8us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostIncurredCost
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= cl_ThirdPartyIncrementalCostMember
/ us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis
= cl_TwoThousandTwelveRestructuringProgramMember
Contract Termination [Member]      
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]      
Charges 40us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostIncurredCost
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= us-gaap_ContractTerminationMember
/ us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis
= cl_TwoThousandTwelveRestructuringProgramMember
34us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostIncurredCost
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= us-gaap_ContractTerminationMember
/ us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis
= cl_TwoThousandTwelveRestructuringProgramMember
3us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostIncurredCost
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= us-gaap_ContractTerminationMember
/ us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis
= cl_TwoThousandTwelveRestructuringProgramMember
Land and Building [Member]      
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]      
Charges $ 82us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostIncurredCost
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= us-gaap_LandAndBuildingMember
/ us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis
= cl_TwoThousandTwelveRestructuringProgramMember
$ 25us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostIncurredCost
/ us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis
= us-gaap_LandAndBuildingMember
/ us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis
= cl_TwoThousandTwelveRestructuringProgramMember