Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Details 1) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Finite and indefinite-lived intangible assets [Line Items]
Finite & Indefinite Life Intangibles, Gross	$ 1,752	$ 1,816
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	(339)	(320)
Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill)	1,413	1,496
Amortization of Intangible Assets	32us-gaap_AmortizationOfIntangibleAssets	32us-gaap_AmortizationOfIntangibleAssets	31us-gaap_AmortizationOfIntangibleAssets
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net, Amortization Expense, Fiscal Year Maturity [Abstract]
Future amortization expense - 2015	30
Future amortization expense - 2016	30
Future amortization expense - 2017	30
Future amortization expense - 2018	30
Future amortization expense - 2019	30
Trademarks
Finite and indefinite-lived intangible assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross	552	551
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	(285)	(275)
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net	267	276
Other finite life intangible assets
Finite and indefinite-lived intangible assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross	213	219
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	(54)	(45)
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net	159	174
Indefinite life intangible assets
Finite and indefinite-lived intangible assets [Line Items]
Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets (Excluding Goodwill)	987	1,046
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	$ 0	$ 0

Name:	cl_FiniteAndIndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	cl_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

The aggregate expense charged against earnings to allocate the cost of intangible assets (nonphysical assets not used in production) in a systematic and rational manner to the periods expected to benefit from such assets. As a noncash expense, this element is added back to net income when calculating cash provided by or used in operations using the indirect method.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 28

-Subparagraph (b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=31042434&loc=d3e3602-108585

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 350

-SubTopic 30

-Section 45

-Paragraph 2

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6388964&loc=d3e16225-109274

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 350

-SubTopic 30

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (a)(2)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26713463&loc=d3e16323-109275

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_AmortizationOfIntangibleAssets
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Accumulated amount of amortization of assets, excluding financial assets and goodwill, lacking physical substance with a finite life.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 350

-SubTopic 30

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (a)(1)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26713463&loc=d3e16323-109275

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAccumulatedAmortization
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of amortization expense for assets, excluding financial assets and goodwill, lacking physical substance with a finite life expected to be recognized during the next fiscal year following the latest fiscal year. Excludes interim and annual periods when interim periods are reported on a rolling approach, from latest balance sheet date.

+ References