2.2.0.25truefalse4102 - Disclosure - STOCK INCENTIVE AND OPTION PLANS (Details 3)truefalsefalse1falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameAxis} : Stock Options 1/1/2010 - 12/31/2010 USD ($) / shares $D2010_EmployeeStockOptionMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000031462duration2010-01-01T00:00:002010-12-31T00:00:00falsefalseStock Optionsus-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldius-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMemberus-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameAxisexplicitMemberPureStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancepurexbrli0SharesStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancesharesxbrli0USDPerShareDividehttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso4217http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancesharesxbrli0USDUSD$2falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameAxis} : Stock Options1/1/2009 - 12/31/2009 USD ($) / shares $D2009_EmployeeStockOptionMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000031462duration2009-01-01T00:00:002009-12-31T00:00:00falsefalseStock Optionsus-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldius-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMemberus-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameAxisexplicitMemberUSDPerShareDividehttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso4217http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancesharesxbrli0PureStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancepurexbrli0USDUSD$3falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameAxis} : Stock Options1/1/2008 - 12/31/2008 USD ($) / shares $D2008_EmployeeStockOptionMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000031462duration2008-01-01T00:00:002008-12-31T00:00:00falsefalseStock Optionsus-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldius-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMemberus-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameAxisexplicitMemberPureStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancepurexbrli0USDPerShareDividehttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso4217http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancesharesxbrli0USDUSD$1false0natruenanaNo definition available.falsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsehttp://www.ecolab.com/role/disclosurestockincentiveandoptionplansdetails31falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse1falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameAxis} : Stock Options1/1/2010 - 12/31/2010 USD ($) / shares $D2010_EmployeeStockOptionMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000031462duration2010-01-01T00:00:002010-12-31T00:00:00falsefalseStock Optionsus-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldius-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMemberus-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameAxisexplicitMemberPureStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancepurexbrli0SharesStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancesharesxbrli0USDPerShareDividehttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso4217http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancesharesxbrli0USDUSD$2falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameAxis} : Stock Options1/1/2009 - 12/31/2009 USD ($) / shares $D2009_EmployeeStockOptionMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000031462duration2009-01-01T00:00:002009-12-31T00:00:00falsefalseStock Optionsus-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldius-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMemberus-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameAxisexplicitMemberUSDPerShareDividehttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso4217http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancesharesxbrli0PureStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancepurexbrli0USDUSD$3falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameAxis} : Stock Options1/1/2008 - 12/31/2008 USD ($) / shares $D2008_EmployeeStockOptionMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000031462duration2008-01-01T00:00:002008-12-31T00:00:00falsefalseStock Optionsus-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldius-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMemberus-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameAxisexplicitMemberPureStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancepurexbrli0USDPerShareDividehttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso4217http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancesharesxbrli0USDUSD$OthernaNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalseStock Options2true0ecl_StockIncentiveAndOptionPlansDisclosureAbstracteclfalsenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringNo definition available.falsefalseSTOCK INCENTIVE AND OPTION PLANS3false0us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValueus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse10.1110.11falsetruefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse9.599.59falsetruefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse7.757.75falsetruefalsefalsefalseEPSus-types:perShareItemTypedecimalThe weighted average grant-date fair value of options granted during the reporting period as calculated by applying the disclosed option pricing methodology.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 123R -Paragraph A240 -Subparagraph c(1) falsetrueWeighted average grant date fair value of options granted at market prices (in dollars per share)4true0us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsAndMethodologyAbstractus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringNo definition available.falsefalseAssumptions5false0us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsRiskFreeInterestRateus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truetruefalse0.0200.020falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truetruefalse0.0220.022falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truetruefalse0.0190.019falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherus-types:percentItemTypepureThe risk-free interest rate assumption that is used in valuing an option on its own shares.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 123R -Paragraph A240 -Subparagraph e(2)(d) falsefalseRisk-free rate of return (in percent)6false0us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedTermus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse66falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truefalsefalse55falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truefalsefalse66falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:decimalItemTypedecimalThe period of time a share-based award is expected to be outstanding. A share-based award's expected term shall be determined based on, among other factors, the instrument's contractual term and the effects of employees' expected exercise and post-vesting employment termination behavior. An entity is required to aggregate individual awards into relatively homogeneous groups.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 123R -Paragraph A240 -Subparagraph e(2)(a) Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB) -Number Topic 14 -Section D -Subsection 2 falsefalseExpected life (in years)7false0us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedVolatilityRateus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truetruefalse0.2310.231falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truetruefalse0.2330.233falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truetruefalse0.2350.235falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherus-types:percentItemTypepureThe estimated measure of the percentage amount by which a share price is expected to fluctuate during a period. Volatility also may be defined as a probability-weighted measure of the dispersion of returns about the mean. The volatility of a share price is the standard deviation of the continuously compounded rates of return on the share over a specified period. That is the same as the standard deviation of the differences in the natural logarithms of the stock prices plus dividends, if any, over the period.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 123R -Paragraph A240 -Subparagraph e(2)(b) falsefalseExpected volatility (in percent)8false0us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsExpectedDividendRateus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truetruefalse0.0140.014falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2truetruefalse0.0140.014falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3truetruefalse0.0150.015falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherus-types:percentItemTypepureThe estimated dividend rate (a percentage of the share price) to be paid (expected dividends) to holders of the underlying shares over the option's term.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 123R -Paragraph A240 -Subparagraph e(2)(c) falsefalseExpected dividend yield (in percent)9false0ecl_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardYieldCurveOfUSTreasuryRatesPeriodLowEndOfRangeeclfalsenadurationThis element represents the low end of the range for the yield curve of U.S treasury rates used to determine the risk-free...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse11falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:integerItemTypeintegerThis element represents the low end of the range for the yield curve of U.S treasury rates used to determine the risk-free rate of return.No authoritative reference available.falsefalseYield curve of U.S. treasury rates, low end of range (in months)10false0ecl_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardYieldCurveOfUSTreasuryRatesPeriodHighEndOfRangeeclfalsenadurationThis element represents the high end of the range for the yield curve of U.S treasury rates used to determine the risk-free...falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse1010falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:integerItemTypeintegerThis element represents the high end of the range for the yield curve of U.S treasury rates used to determine the risk-free rate of return.No authoritative reference available.falsefalseYield curve of U.S. treasury rates, high end of range (in years)11false0natruenanaNo definition available.falsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsehttp://www.ecolab.com/role/disclosurestockincentiveandoptionplansdetails31falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse4falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameAxis} : PBRSU Awards1/1/2010 - 12/31/2010 USD ($) / shares $D2010_PBRSUAwardsMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000031462duration2010-01-01T00:00:002010-12-31T00:00:00falsefalsePBRSU Awardsus-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldiecl_PBRSUAwardsMemberus-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameAxisexplicitMemberPureStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancepurexbrli0USDPerShareDividehttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso4217http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancesharesxbrli0SharesStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancesharesxbrli0USDUSD$OthernaNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalsePBRSU Awards13true0us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsAndMethodologyAbstractus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringNo definition available.falsefalseAssumptions14false0us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardRequisiteServicePeriodus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse003 yearsfalsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherus-types:durationStringItemTypenormalizedstringDescription of the estimated period of time over which an employee is required to provide service in exchange for the share-based payment award, which often is the vesting period. This period may be explicit or implicit based on the terms of the award, and may be presented in a variety of ways (for example, year, month and year, day, month and year, quarter of a year).Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 123R -Paragraph A240 -Subparagraph a falsefalsePeriod of requisite continued service (in years)15false0ecl_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardConversionRateeclfalsenadurationThe number of shares of common stock issuable per award unit upon vesting.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse11falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:integerItemTypeintegerThe number of shares of common stock issuable per award unit upon vesting.No authoritative reference available.falsefalseCommon stock issuable for each vested stock award (in shares)16false0natruenanaNo definition available.falsetruefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsehttp://www.ecolab.com/role/disclosurestockincentiveandoptionplansdetails31falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse5falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameAxis} : Restricted Stock Awards and Units1/1/2010 - 12/31/2010 USD ($) / shares $D2010_RestrictedStockAwardsMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000031462duration2010-01-01T00:00:002010-12-31T00:00:00falsefalseRestricted Stock Awards and Unitsus-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldiecl_RestrictedStockAwardsMemberus-gaap_ScheduleOfShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameAxisexplicitMemberSharesStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancesharesxbrli0USDPerShareDividehttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso4217http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancesharesxbrli0PureStandardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/instancepurexbrli0USDUSD$OthernaNo definition available.No authoritative reference available.falsefalseRestricted Stock Awards and Units18true0us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardFairValueAssumptionsAndMethodologyAbstractus-gaaptruenadurationNo definition available.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:stringItemTypestringNo definition available.falsefalseAssumptions19false0ecl_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardRestrictedStockOutstandingVestingPeriodLowEndOfRangeeclfalsenadurationThis element represents the vesting period of restricted stock outstanding, low end of range.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse1212falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:integerItemTypeintegerThis element represents the vesting period of restricted stock outstanding, low end of range.No authoritative reference available.falsefalseRestricted stock outstanding vesting period, low end of range (in months)20false0ecl_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardRestrictedStockOutstandingVestingPeriodHighEndOfRangeeclfalsenadurationThis element represents the vesting period of restricted stock outstanding, high end of range.falsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalseterselabel1truefalsefalse6060falsefalsefalsefalsefalse2falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalse3falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsefalsefalseOtherxbrli:integerItemTypeintegerThis element represents the vesting period of restricted stock outstanding, high end of range.No authoritative reference available.falsefalseRestricted stock outstanding vesting period, high end of range (in months)318STOCK INCENTIVE AND OPTION PLANS (Details 3) (USD $)UnKnownUnKnownNoRoundingUnKnowntruetrue