2.2.0.25truefalse4090 - Disclosure - SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (Details)truefalsefalse1falsefalseUSDfalsefalse1/1/2010 - 12/31/2010 USD ($) USD ($) / shares $D2010http://www.sec.gov/CIK0000031462duration2010-01-01T00:00:002010-12-31T00:00:00PureStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancepurexbrli0USDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDPerShareDividehttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso4217http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancesharesxbrli0SharesStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancesharesxbrli0USDUSD$2falsefalseUSDfalsefalse1/1/2009 - 12/31/2009USD ($) USD ($) / shares $D2009http://www.sec.gov/CIK0000031462duration2009-01-01T00:00:002009-12-31T00:00:00USDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170PureStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancepurexbrli0SharesStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancesharesxbrli0USDPerShareDividehttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso4217http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancesharesxbrli0USDUSD$3falsefalseUSDfalsefalse1/1/2008 - 12/31/2008USD ($) USD ($) / shares $D2008http://www.sec.gov/CIK0000031462duration2008-01-01T00:00:002008-12-31T00:00:00USDStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170PureStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancepurexbrli0SharesStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancesharesxbrli0USDPerShareDividehttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso4217http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancesharesxbrli0USDUSD$2false0us-gaap_CommonStockSharesAuthorizedus-gaaptruenainstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1truefalsefalse400000000400000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse400000000400000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseSharesxbrli:sharesItemTypesharesThe maximum number of common shares permitted to be issued by an entity's charter and bylaws.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 30 -Article 5 falsefalseAuthorized common Stock (Shares)3false0us-gaap_CommonStockParOrStatedValuePerShareus-gaaptruenainstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1truefalsefalse1.001.00falsetruefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse1.001.00falsetruefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseEPSus-types:perShareItemTypedecimalFace amount or stated value of common stock per share; generally not indicative of the fair market value per share.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 129 -Paragraph 4 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 30 -Article 5 falsetruePar value of common stock (in dollar Per share)4false0us-gaap_CommonStockDividendsPerShareDeclaredus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1truefalsefalse0.64000.6400falsetruefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse0.57500.5750falsetruefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse0.53000.5300falsetruefalsefalsefalseEPSus-types:perShareItemTypedecimalAggregate dividends declared during the period for each share of common stock outstanding.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 04 -Article 3 falsetrueDividend declared, per share of common stock (in dollars per share)5false0us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesAuthorizedus-gaaptruenainstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00 falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseSharesxbrli:sharesItemTypesharesThe maximum number of nonredeemable preferred shares (or preferred stock redeemable solely at the option of the issuer) permitted to be issued by an entity's charter and bylaws.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 29 -Article 5 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 129 -Paragraph 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 falsefalsePreferred stock authorized but not issued (in shares)6false0natruenanaNo definition available.falsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsehttp://www.ecolab.com/role/disclosureshareholdersequitydetails1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalsetruefalse{us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis} : PREFERRED STOCK12/31/2010 I2010_PreferredStockMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000031462instant2010-12-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalsePREFERRED STOCKus-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldius-gaap_PreferredStockMemberus-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxisexplicitMemberSharesStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancesharesxbrli0OthernaNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalsePREFERRED STOCK7false0us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesAuthorizedus-gaaptruenainstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse1500000015000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseSharesxbrli:sharesItemTypesharesThe maximum number of nonredeemable preferred shares (or preferred stock redeemable solely at the option of the issuer) permitted to be issued by an entity's charter and bylaws.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 29 -Article 5 Reference 2: 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and bylaws.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 29 -Article 5 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 129 -Paragraph 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 falsefalsePreferred stock authorized but not issued (in shares)10false0ecl_ShareholderRightsPlanStockPurchaseRightIssuedeclfalsenainstantThe number of preferred stock purchase rights issued for each outstanding common share of the entity's common stock.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse11falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseSharesxbrli:integerItemTypeintegerThe number of preferred stock purchase rights issued for each outstanding common share of the entity's common stock.No authoritative reference available.falsefalsePreferred stock purchase rights per common share11false0ecl_ShareholderRightsPlanEntitledPreferredStockeclfalsenainstantThis element represents the number or portion of preferred stock shares that each preferred stock purchase right entitles the...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse0.0010.001falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseSharesxbrli:decimalItemTypedecimalThis element represents the number or portion of preferred stock shares that each preferred stock purchase right entitles the holder to purchase upon occurrence of certain events.No authoritative reference available.falsefalsePreferred stock shares per preferred stock purchase right (in shares)12false0ecl_ShareholderRightsPlanPurchasePriceeclfalsenainstantThis element represents the price per share at which each preferred stock purchase right entitles the holder to purchase...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse135135falsetruefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseEPSus-types:perShareItemTypedecimalThis element represents the price per share at which each preferred stock purchase right entitles the holder to purchase preferred stock upon occurrence of certain events.No authoritative reference available.falsetrueExercise price of preferred stock purchase rights13false0ecl_ShareholderRightsPlanOutstandingCommonStockToBeHeldMinimumPercentageeclfalsenainstantThis element represents the minimum percentage of outstanding common stock to be held by any person or group, at which the...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truetruefalse0.150.15falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherus-types:percentItemTypepureThis element represents the minimum percentage of outstanding common stock to be held by any person or group, at which the preferred stock purchase rights become exercisable.No authoritative reference available.falsefalseThreshold ownership of outstanding common stock by any person or group to trigger preferred stock purchase rights (in percent)14false0ecl_ShareholderRightsPlanPercentageOfCommonStockHeldByAdversePersoneclfalsenainstantThis element represents the minimum percentage of outstanding common stock to be held by an adverse person as defined under...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truetruefalse0.100.10falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherus-types:percentItemTypepureThis element represents the minimum percentage of outstanding common stock to be held by an adverse person as defined under the shareholder rights plan, at which the stock purchase rights become exercisable.No authoritative reference available.falsefalseThreshold ownership of outstanding common stock by an adverse person to trigger preferred stock purchase rights (in percent)15false0ecl_ShareholderRightsPlanRightRedemptionRateeclfalsenainstantThe price at which each preferred stock purchase right is redeemable under certain circumstances.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse11falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:decimalItemTypedecimalThe price at which each preferred stock purchase right is redeemable under certain circumstances.No authoritative reference available.falsefalsePreferred stock purchase rights, redemption price (in cents per right)16false0natruenanaNo definition available.falsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsehttp://www.ecolab.com/role/disclosureshareholdersequitydetails1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse6falsefalsetruefalse{us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis} : Undesignated preferred stock12/31/2010 I2010_UndesignatedPreferredStockMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000031462instant2010-12-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalseUndesignated preferred stockus-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldiecl_UndesignatedPreferredStockMemberus-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxisexplicitMemberSharesStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancesharesxbrli0OthernaNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalseUndesignated preferred stock17false0us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesAuthorizedus-gaaptruenainstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse1460000014600000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseSharesxbrli:sharesItemTypesharesThe maximum number of nonredeemable preferred shares (or preferred stock redeemable solely at the option of the issuer) permitted to be issued by an entity's charter and bylaws.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 29 -Article 5 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 129 -Paragraph 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 falsefalsePreferred stock authorized but not issued (in shares)18false0natruenanaNo definition available.falsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsehttp://www.ecolab.com/role/disclosureshareholdersequitydetails1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse7falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis} : COMMON STOCK1/1/2010 - 12/31/2010 USD ($) / shares $D2010_CommonStockMember_EQhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000031462duration2010-01-01T00:00:002010-12-31T00:00:00falsefalseCOMMON STOCKus-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldius-gaap_CommonStockMemberus-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxisexplicitMemberSharesStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancesharesxbrli0USDPerShareDividehttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso4217http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancesharesxbrli0USDUSD$8falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis} : COMMON STOCK1/1/2009 - 12/31/2009 USD ($) / shares 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definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalseCOMMON STOCK19false0us-gaap_CommonStockSharesAuthorizedus-gaaptruenainstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1truefalsefalse400000000400000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse400000000400000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse400000000400000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalseSharesxbrli:sharesItemTypesharesThe maximum number of common shares permitted to be issued by an entity's charter and bylaws.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 30 -Article 5 falsefalseAuthorized common Stock (Shares)20false0us-gaap_CommonStockParOrStatedValuePerShareus-gaaptruenainstantNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1truefalsefalse11falsetruefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse11falsetruefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse11falsetruefalsefalsefalseEPSus-types:perShareItemTypedecimalFace amount or stated value of common stock per share; generally not indicative of the fair market value per share.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 129 -Paragraph 4 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 30 -Article 5 falsetruePar value of common stock (in dollar Per share)21false0us-gaap_CommonStockDividendsPerShareDeclaredus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseverboselabel1truefalsefalse0.640.64falsetruefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse0.5750.575falsetruefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse0.530.53falsetruefalsefalsefalseEPSus-types:perShareItemTypedecimalAggregate dividends declared during the period for each share of common stock outstanding.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 04 -Article 3 falsetrueDividend declared, per share of common stock (in dollars per share)22false0us-gaap_TreasuryStockSharesAcquiredus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse73660017366001falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse12250781225078falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse1211183612111836falsefalsefalsefalsefalseSharesxbrli:sharesItemTypesharesNumber of shares that have been repurchased during the period and are being held in treasury.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher AICPA -Name Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB) -Number 12 -Paragraph 10 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 04 -Article 3 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 29, 30 -Article 5 falsefalseCommon stock reacquired during the period (in shares)23false0ecl_RelatedPartyTransactionSharesRepurchasedeclfalsenadurationThis element represents the number of shares of common stock repurchased from the related party.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse1134609811346098falsefalsefalsefalsefalseSharesxbrli:sharesItemTypesharesThis element represents the number of shares of common stock repurchased from the related party.No authoritative reference available.falsefalseShares repurchased from Henkel (in shares)24false0ecl_StockRepurchasedDuringPeriodStockBasedCompensationeclfalsenadurationNumber of shares reacquired during the period related to the exercise of stock options and the vesting of stock awards.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse242161242161falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse316150316150falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse6250562505falsefalsefalsefalsefalseSharesxbrli:sharesItemTypesharesNumber of shares reacquired during the period related to the exercise of stock options and the vesting of stock awards.No authoritative reference available.falsefalseShare repurchases related to exercise of stock options and vesting of stock awards (in shares)25false0ecl_SharesAuthorizedToBeRepurchasedMaximumeclfalsenadurationThis element represents the maximum number of shares of common stock, which have been authorized by the board of directors,...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse1000000010000000falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseSharesxbrli:sharesItemTypesharesThis element represents the maximum number of shares of common stock, which have been authorized by the board of directors, to be repurchased.No authoritative reference available.falsefalseTotal shares authorized to be repurchased (in shares)26false0ecl_SharesAuthorizedToBeRepurchasedRemainingeclfalsenainstantThis element represents the number of shares of common stock remaining to be repurchased under the authorized share...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse53547835354783falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseSharesxbrli:sharesItemTypesharesThis element represents the number of shares of common stock remaining to be repurchased 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