Special (Gains) and Charges (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Special (gains) and charges
Venezuela currency devaluation		$ 23,400,000
Subtotal	29,600,000	49,700,000
Total special (gains) and charges	35,600,000	53,400,000
Champion
Special (gains) and charges
Acquisition costs	6,500,000	10,000,000
Cost of sales
Special (gains) and charges
Restructuring charges	6,000,000	2,000,000
Subtotal	6,000,000	2,000,000
Special (gains) and charges
Special (gains) and charges
Restructuring charges	22,600,000	18,500,000
Venezuela currency devaluation		23,400,000
Litigation related charges and other	(800,000)	(3,800,000)
Subtotal	29,600,000	49,700,000
Special (gains) and charges | Champion
Special (gains) and charges
Acquisition costs	6,500,000	7,800,000
Special (gains) and charges | Nalco Holding Company ("Nalco")
Special (gains) and charges
Acquisition costs	1,300,000	3,800,000
Operating income subtotal
Special (gains) and charges
Subtotal	35,600,000	51,700,000
Interest expense, net
Special (gains) and charges
Acquisition costs		2,200,000
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest
Special (gains) and charges
Venezuela currency devaluation		$ (500,000)