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DEBT AND INTEREST (Details 2)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
3 Months Ended 12 Months Ended 12 Months Ended 1 Months Ended 1 Months Ended 1 Months Ended 1 Months Ended 12 Months Ended 12 Months Ended 12 Months Ended 12 Months Ended 1 Months Ended 12 Months Ended 1 Months Ended 12 Months Ended 1 Months Ended 1 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
USD ($)
Sep. 30, 2014
USD ($)
Jun. 30, 2014
USD ($)
Mar. 31, 2014
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2013
USD ($)
Sep. 30, 2013
USD ($)
Jun. 30, 2013
USD ($)
Mar. 31, 2013
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2014
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2013
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2012
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2012
Champion
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2014
Series B senior euro notes, due 2016
EUR (€)
Dec. 31, 2006
Series B senior euro notes, due 2016
EUR (€)
Dec. 31, 2014
Seven year 2008 senior notes
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2013
Seven year 2008 senior notes
USD ($)
Feb. 29, 2008
Seven year 2008 senior notes
USD ($)
Feb. 28, 2015
Seven year 2008 senior notes
Subsequent event
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2014
Series of notes issued by the company in December, 2006 and November, 2011
Dec. 31, 2014
Series of notes issued by the company in January 2015, December 2012, August 2012 and December 2011
Oct. 31, 2011
Private placement senior notes
USD ($)
series
Oct. 31, 2011
Series A private placement senior notes due 2018
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2014
Series A private placement senior notes due 2018
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2013
Series A private placement senior notes due 2018
USD ($)
Oct. 31, 2011
Series B private placement senior notes due 2023
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2014
Series B private placement senior notes due 2023
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2013
Series B private placement senior notes due 2023
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2014
Series B private placement senior euro notes, due 2016
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2013
Series B private placement senior euro notes, due 2016
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2014
Three year 2011 senior notes
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2014
Three year 2011 senior notes
Dec. 31, 2013
Three year 2011 senior notes
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2014
Five year 2011 senior notes
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2013
Five year 2011 senior notes
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2014
Ten year 2011 senior notes
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2013
Ten year 2011 senior notes
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2014
Thirty year 2011 senior notes
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2013
Thirty year 2011 senior notes
USD ($)
Aug. 31, 2012
Three year 2012 senior notes
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2014
Three year 2012 senior notes
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2013
Three year 2012 senior notes
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2012
Five year 2012 senior notes
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2014
Five year 2012 senior notes
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2013
Five year 2012 senior notes
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2014
Term loan
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2013
Term loan
USD ($)
Nov. 30, 2012
Term loan
USD ($)
Sep. 30, 2014
Term loan
Champion
USD ($)
Apr. 30, 2014
Term loan
Champion
USD ($)
Feb. 28, 2014
Term loan
Champion
USD ($)
Sep. 30, 2013
Term loan
Champion
USD ($)
Apr. 30, 2013
Term loan
Champion
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2014
Capital lease obligations
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2013
Capital lease obligations
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2014
Other
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2013
Other
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2011
2011 Public Debt Offering
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2011
2011 Public Debt Offering
Minimum
Dec. 31, 2011
2011 Public Debt Offering
Maximum
Jan. 31, 2015
2015 Public Debt Offering
Subsequent event
USD ($)
Jan. 31, 2015
Three year 2018 senior notes
Subsequent event
USD ($)
Jan. 31, 2015
Five year 2020 senior notes
Subsequent event
USD ($)
Debt instrument                                                                                                                            
CARRYING VALUE $ 5,619.5us-gaap_DebtAndCapitalLeaseObligations       $ 6,548.8us-gaap_DebtAndCapitalLeaseObligations       $ 5,619.5us-gaap_DebtAndCapitalLeaseObligations $ 6,548.8us-gaap_DebtAndCapitalLeaseObligations         $ 250.0us-gaap_DebtAndCapitalLeaseObligations
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember
$ 249.7us-gaap_DebtAndCapitalLeaseObligations
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember
          $ 250.0us-gaap_DebtAndCapitalLeaseObligations
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= ecl_SeriesAPrivatePlacementSeniorNotesDue2018Member
$ 250.0us-gaap_DebtAndCapitalLeaseObligations
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= ecl_SeriesAPrivatePlacementSeniorNotesDue2018Member
$ 250.0us-gaap_DebtAndCapitalLeaseObligations
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= ecl_SeriesAPrivatePlacementSeniorNotesDue2018Member
$ 250.0us-gaap_DebtAndCapitalLeaseObligations
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= ecl_SeriesBPrivatePlacementSeniorNotesDue2023Member
$ 250.0us-gaap_DebtAndCapitalLeaseObligations
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= ecl_SeriesBPrivatePlacementSeniorNotesDue2023Member
$ 250.0us-gaap_DebtAndCapitalLeaseObligations
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= ecl_SeriesBPrivatePlacementSeniorNotesDue2023Member
$ 217.9us-gaap_DebtAndCapitalLeaseObligations
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= ecl_SeriesBPrivatePlacementSeniorNotesDue2016Member
$ 237.8us-gaap_DebtAndCapitalLeaseObligations
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= ecl_SeriesBPrivatePlacementSeniorNotesDue2016Member
    $ 499.9us-gaap_DebtAndCapitalLeaseObligations
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= ecl_ThreeYear2011SeniorNotesMember
$ 1,249.1us-gaap_DebtAndCapitalLeaseObligations
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= ecl_FiveYear2011SeniorNotesMember
$ 1,248.6us-gaap_DebtAndCapitalLeaseObligations
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= ecl_FiveYear2011SeniorNotesMember
$ 1,249.4us-gaap_DebtAndCapitalLeaseObligations
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= ecl_TenYear2011SeniorNotesMember
$ 1,249.3us-gaap_DebtAndCapitalLeaseObligations
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= ecl_TenYear2011SeniorNotesMember
$ 743.1us-gaap_DebtAndCapitalLeaseObligations
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= ecl_ThirtyYear2011SeniorNotesMember
$ 742.8us-gaap_DebtAndCapitalLeaseObligations
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= ecl_ThirtyYear2011SeniorNotesMember
  $ 500.0us-gaap_DebtAndCapitalLeaseObligations
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= ecl_ThreeYear2012SeniorNotesMember
$ 499.9us-gaap_DebtAndCapitalLeaseObligations
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= ecl_ThreeYear2012SeniorNotesMember
  $ 497.6us-gaap_DebtAndCapitalLeaseObligations
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= ecl_FiveYear2012SeniorNotesMember
$ 499.7us-gaap_DebtAndCapitalLeaseObligations
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= ecl_FiveYear2012SeniorNotesMember
$ 400.0us-gaap_DebtAndCapitalLeaseObligations
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= ecl_TermLoanMember
$ 800.0us-gaap_DebtAndCapitalLeaseObligations
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= ecl_TermLoanMember
            $ 9.3us-gaap_DebtAndCapitalLeaseObligations
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= us-gaap_CapitalLeaseObligationsMember
$ 12.7us-gaap_DebtAndCapitalLeaseObligations
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= us-gaap_CapitalLeaseObligationsMember
$ 3.1us-gaap_DebtAndCapitalLeaseObligations
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= ecl_OtherLongTermDebtMember
$ 8.4us-gaap_DebtAndCapitalLeaseObligations
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= ecl_OtherLongTermDebtMember
$ 3,750.0us-gaap_DebtAndCapitalLeaseObligations
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= ecl_MultiTrancheTransactionTermLoanMember
         
AVERAGE INTEREST RATE (as a percent)                             4.88%us-gaap_LongtermDebtWeightedAverageInterestRate
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember
4.88%us-gaap_LongtermDebtWeightedAverageInterestRate
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember
4.88%us-gaap_LongtermDebtWeightedAverageInterestRate
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember
        3.69%us-gaap_LongtermDebtWeightedAverageInterestRate
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= ecl_SeriesAPrivatePlacementSeniorNotesDue2018Member
3.69%us-gaap_LongtermDebtWeightedAverageInterestRate
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= ecl_SeriesAPrivatePlacementSeniorNotesDue2018Member
3.69%us-gaap_LongtermDebtWeightedAverageInterestRate
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= ecl_SeriesAPrivatePlacementSeniorNotesDue2018Member
4.32%us-gaap_LongtermDebtWeightedAverageInterestRate
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= ecl_SeriesBPrivatePlacementSeniorNotesDue2023Member
4.32%us-gaap_LongtermDebtWeightedAverageInterestRate
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= ecl_SeriesBPrivatePlacementSeniorNotesDue2023Member
4.32%us-gaap_LongtermDebtWeightedAverageInterestRate
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= ecl_SeriesBPrivatePlacementSeniorNotesDue2023Member
4.59%us-gaap_LongtermDebtWeightedAverageInterestRate
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= ecl_SeriesBPrivatePlacementSeniorNotesDue2016Member
4.59%us-gaap_LongtermDebtWeightedAverageInterestRate
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= ecl_SeriesBPrivatePlacementSeniorNotesDue2016Member
    2.38%us-gaap_LongtermDebtWeightedAverageInterestRate
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= ecl_ThreeYear2011SeniorNotesMember
3.00%us-gaap_LongtermDebtWeightedAverageInterestRate
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= ecl_FiveYear2011SeniorNotesMember
3.00%us-gaap_LongtermDebtWeightedAverageInterestRate
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= ecl_FiveYear2011SeniorNotesMember
4.35%us-gaap_LongtermDebtWeightedAverageInterestRate
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= ecl_TenYear2011SeniorNotesMember
4.35%us-gaap_LongtermDebtWeightedAverageInterestRate
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= ecl_TenYear2011SeniorNotesMember
5.50%us-gaap_LongtermDebtWeightedAverageInterestRate
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= ecl_ThirtyYear2011SeniorNotesMember
5.50%us-gaap_LongtermDebtWeightedAverageInterestRate
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= ecl_ThirtyYear2011SeniorNotesMember
  1.00%us-gaap_LongtermDebtWeightedAverageInterestRate
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= ecl_ThreeYear2012SeniorNotesMember
1.00%us-gaap_LongtermDebtWeightedAverageInterestRate
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= ecl_ThreeYear2012SeniorNotesMember
  1.45%us-gaap_LongtermDebtWeightedAverageInterestRate
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= ecl_FiveYear2012SeniorNotesMember
1.45%us-gaap_LongtermDebtWeightedAverageInterestRate
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= ecl_FiveYear2012SeniorNotesMember
1.29%us-gaap_LongtermDebtWeightedAverageInterestRate
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= ecl_TermLoanMember
1.33%us-gaap_LongtermDebtWeightedAverageInterestRate
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= ecl_TermLoanMember
                               
EFFECTIVE INTEREST RATE (as a percent)                             4.99%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateEffectivePercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember
4.99%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateEffectivePercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember
            5.15%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateEffectivePercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= ecl_SeriesAPrivatePlacementSeniorNotesDue2018Member
5.15%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateEffectivePercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= ecl_SeriesAPrivatePlacementSeniorNotesDue2018Member
  4.32%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateEffectivePercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= ecl_SeriesBPrivatePlacementSeniorNotesDue2023Member
4.32%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateEffectivePercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= ecl_SeriesBPrivatePlacementSeniorNotesDue2023Member
4.67%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateEffectivePercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= ecl_SeriesBPrivatePlacementSeniorNotesDue2016Member
4.67%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateEffectivePercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= ecl_SeriesBPrivatePlacementSeniorNotesDue2016Member
    2.40%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateEffectivePercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= ecl_ThreeYear2011SeniorNotesMember
3.04%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateEffectivePercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= ecl_FiveYear2011SeniorNotesMember
3.04%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateEffectivePercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= ecl_FiveYear2011SeniorNotesMember
4.36%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateEffectivePercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= ecl_TenYear2011SeniorNotesMember
4.36%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateEffectivePercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= ecl_TenYear2011SeniorNotesMember
5.53%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateEffectivePercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= ecl_ThirtyYear2011SeniorNotesMember
5.53%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateEffectivePercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= ecl_ThirtyYear2011SeniorNotesMember
  1.02%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateEffectivePercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= ecl_ThreeYear2012SeniorNotesMember
1.02%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateEffectivePercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= ecl_ThreeYear2012SeniorNotesMember
  0.93%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateEffectivePercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= ecl_FiveYear2012SeniorNotesMember
1.47%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateEffectivePercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= ecl_FiveYear2012SeniorNotesMember
1.29%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateEffectivePercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= ecl_TermLoanMember
1.33%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateEffectivePercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= ecl_TermLoanMember
                               
Long-term debt, current maturities (755.5)us-gaap_LongTermDebtAndCapitalLeaseObligationsCurrent       (505.3)us-gaap_LongTermDebtAndCapitalLeaseObligationsCurrent       (755.5)us-gaap_LongTermDebtAndCapitalLeaseObligationsCurrent (505.3)us-gaap_LongTermDebtAndCapitalLeaseObligationsCurrent                                                                                                        
Long-term debt 4,864.0us-gaap_LongTermDebtAndCapitalLeaseObligations       6,043.5us-gaap_LongTermDebtAndCapitalLeaseObligations       4,864.0us-gaap_LongTermDebtAndCapitalLeaseObligations 6,043.5us-gaap_LongTermDebtAndCapitalLeaseObligations                                                                                                        
Aggregate principal amount                       500us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= ecl_ChampionMember
175us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= ecl_SeriesBSeniorEuroNotesDue2016Member
175us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= ecl_SeriesBSeniorEuroNotesDue2016Member
250us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember
  250us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember
      500us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= ecl_PrivatePlacementSeniorNotesMember
  250us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= ecl_SeriesAPrivatePlacementSeniorNotesDue2018Member
    250us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= ecl_SeriesBPrivatePlacementSeniorNotesDue2023Member
            1,250us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= ecl_FiveYear2011SeniorNotesMember
  1,250us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= ecl_TenYear2011SeniorNotesMember
  750us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= ecl_ThirtyYear2011SeniorNotesMember
    500us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= ecl_ThreeYear2012SeniorNotesMember
    500us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= ecl_FiveYear2012SeniorNotesMember
500us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= ecl_FiveYear2012SeniorNotesMember
400us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= ecl_TermLoanMember
  900us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= ecl_TermLoanMember
        900us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= ecl_ChampionMember
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= ecl_TermLoanMember
              600us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= ecl_PublicDebtOffering2015Member
/ us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember
   
Repayment of debt                                   250us-gaap_RepaymentsOfDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= us-gaap_SeniorNotesMember
/ us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember
                      500us-gaap_RepaymentsOfDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= ecl_ThreeYear2011SeniorNotesMember
                                  150us-gaap_RepaymentsOfDebt
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= ecl_ChampionMember
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= ecl_TermLoanMember
150us-gaap_RepaymentsOfDebt
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= ecl_ChampionMember
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= ecl_TermLoanMember
100us-gaap_RepaymentsOfDebt
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= ecl_ChampionMember
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= ecl_TermLoanMember
100us-gaap_RepaymentsOfDebt
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= ecl_ChampionMember
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= ecl_TermLoanMember
                     
Issuance of Debt securities                                                                             500us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= ecl_ThreeYear2012SeniorNotesMember
    500us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= ecl_FiveYear2012SeniorNotesMember
                                    300us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= ecl_ThreeYear2018SeniorNotesMember
/ us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember
300us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfDebt
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= ecl_FiveYear2020SeniorNotesMember
/ us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember
Interest rate (as a percent)                                                                             1.00%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= ecl_ThreeYear2012SeniorNotesMember
    1.45%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= ecl_FiveYear2012SeniorNotesMember
  1.45%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= ecl_FiveYear2012SeniorNotesMember
                          2.38%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= ecl_MultiTrancheTransactionTermLoanMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MinimumMember
5.50%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= ecl_MultiTrancheTransactionTermLoanMember
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MaximumMember
  1.55%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= ecl_ThreeYear2018SeniorNotesMember
/ us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember
2.25%us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= ecl_FiveYear2020SeniorNotesMember
/ us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis
= us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember
Debt instrument, term                             7 years             7 years     12 years           3 years   5 years   10 years   30 years     3 years     5 years                                      
Principal outstanding plus accrued unpaid interest payable at prepayment of notes (as a percent)                                     100.00%ecl_PrincipalOutstandingPlusAccruedInterestPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= ecl_SeriesOfNotesIssuedInDecember2006AndNovember2011Member
101.00%ecl_PrincipalOutstandingPlusAccruedInterestPercentage
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= ecl_SeriesOfNotesIssuedInJanuary2015December2012August2012AndDecember2011Member
                                                                                   
Number of series of senior notes                                         2ecl_PrivatePlacementSeniorNotesSeriesNumber
/ us-gaap_DebtInstrumentAxis
= ecl_PrivatePlacementSeniorNotesMember
                                                                                 
Aggregate annual maturities of long-term debt                                                                                                                            
2015 756us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInNextTwelveMonths               756us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInNextTwelveMonths                                                                                                          
2016 1,869us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInYearTwo               1,869us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInYearTwo                                                                                                          
2017 499us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInYearThree               499us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInYearThree                                                                                                          
2018 250us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInYearFour               250us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInYearFour                                                                                                          
2019 1us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInYearFive               1us-gaap_LongTermDebtMaturitiesRepaymentsOfPrincipalInYearFive                                                                                                          
Interest                                                                                                                            
Interest expense                 268.0us-gaap_InterestExpense 272.8us-gaap_InterestExpense 285.6us-gaap_InterestExpense                                                                                                      
Interest income                 (11.4)us-gaap_InvestmentIncomeInterest (10.5)us-gaap_InvestmentIncomeInterest (8.9)us-gaap_InvestmentIncomeInterest                                                                                                      
Interest expense, net $ 62.0ecl_InterestExpenseNet $ 63.3ecl_InterestExpenseNet $ 66.2ecl_InterestExpenseNet $ 65.1ecl_InterestExpenseNet $ 67.6ecl_InterestExpenseNet $ 67.0ecl_InterestExpenseNet $ 66.2ecl_InterestExpenseNet $ 61.5ecl_InterestExpenseNet $ 256.6ecl_InterestExpenseNet $ 262.3ecl_InterestExpenseNet $ 276.7ecl_InterestExpenseNet