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Acquisitions and Divestitures (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
 3 Months Ended 0 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2015
Mar. 31, 2014
Sep. 30, 2012
Sep. 30, 2011
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 0cl_PretaxCostsRelatedToSaleOfLand
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= country_MX		 1cl_PretaxCostsRelatedToSaleOfLand
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= country_MX		      
Aftertax costs related to sale of land 0cl_AftertaxCostsRelatedToSaleOfLand
/ us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis
= country_MX		 1cl_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