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OPERATING SEGMENTS AND GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
3 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
Sep. 30, 2014
Jun. 30, 2014
Mar. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Sep. 30, 2013
Jun. 30, 2013
Mar. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2014
segment
Dec. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2012
Financial information of reportable segments                      
Number of operating segments aggregated for classification as reportable segments                 8ecl_NumberOfOperatingSegmentsAggregatedForClassificationOfOperatingSegmentsAsReportableSegments    
Number of operating units                 10us-gaap_NumberOfOperatingSegments    
Number of reportable segments                 3us-gaap_NumberOfReportableSegments    
Net sales $ 3,680.8us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet $ 3,694.9us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet $ 3,568.2us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet $ 3,336.6us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet $ 3,559.5us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet $ 3,484.0us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet $ 3,337.8us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet $ 2,872.1us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet $ 14,280.5us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet $ 13,253.4us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet $ 11,838.7us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet
Operating Income (Loss) 520.5us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss 571.4us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss 512.2us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss 350.9us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss 470.6us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss 476.0us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss 352.3us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss 261.7us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss 1,955.0us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss 1,560.6us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss 1,289.3us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss
Product concentration | Consolidated net sales                      
Financial information of reportable segments                      
Threshold percentage of product sales to consolidated net sales 10.00%ecl_ThresholdForDisclosurePercentage
/ us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskByBenchmarkAxis
= ecl_SalesRevenueTotalMember
/ us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskByTypeAxis
= us-gaap_ProductConcentrationRiskMember
      10.00%ecl_ThresholdForDisclosurePercentage
/ us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskByBenchmarkAxis
= ecl_SalesRevenueTotalMember
/ us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskByTypeAxis
= us-gaap_ProductConcentrationRiskMember
      10.00%ecl_ThresholdForDisclosurePercentage
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/ us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskByTypeAxis
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10.00%ecl_ThresholdForDisclosurePercentage
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= ecl_SalesRevenueTotalMember
/ us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskByTypeAxis
= us-gaap_ProductConcentrationRiskMember
10.00%ecl_ThresholdForDisclosurePercentage
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= ecl_SalesRevenueTotalMember
/ us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskByTypeAxis
= us-gaap_ProductConcentrationRiskMember
Warewashing Products | Product concentration | Consolidated net sales                      
Financial information of reportable segments                      
Percentage of consolidated sales                   10.00%us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskPercentage1
/ us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskByBenchmarkAxis
= ecl_SalesRevenueTotalMember
/ us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskByTypeAxis
= us-gaap_ProductConcentrationRiskMember
/ us-gaap_ProductOrServiceAxis
= ecl_WarewashingProductsMember
11.00%us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskPercentage1
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= ecl_SalesRevenueTotalMember
/ us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskByTypeAxis
= us-gaap_ProductConcentrationRiskMember
/ us-gaap_ProductOrServiceAxis
= ecl_WarewashingProductsMember
Previously reported                      
Financial information of reportable segments                      
Net sales                   13,253.4us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioPreviouslyReportedMember
11,838.7us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioPreviouslyReportedMember
Operating Income (Loss)                   1,560.6us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioPreviouslyReportedMember
1,289.3us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioPreviouslyReportedMember
Other                      
Financial information of reportable segments                      
Number of operating units                 2us-gaap_NumberOfOperatingSegments
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= ecl_OtherReportableSegmentMember
   
Other | Product concentration | Consolidated net sales                      
Financial information of reportable segments                      
Number of product classes comprising 10% or more of consolidated net sales                 1ecl_SalesRevenueThresholdPercentageNumberOfProductClasses
/ us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskByBenchmarkAxis
= ecl_SalesRevenueTotalMember
/ us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskByTypeAxis
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1ecl_SalesRevenueThresholdPercentageNumberOfProductClasses
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1ecl_SalesRevenueThresholdPercentageNumberOfProductClasses
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/ us-gaap_ConcentrationRiskByTypeAxis
= us-gaap_ProductConcentrationRiskMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= ecl_OtherReportableSegmentMember
Operating segment                      
Financial information of reportable segments                      
Net sales                 14,234.8us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember
13,031.9us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember
11,585.7us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember
Operating Income (Loss)                 1,951.8us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember
1,525.1us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss
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= us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember
1,247.3us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember
Operating segment | Previously reported                      
Financial information of reportable segments                      
Net sales                   13,355.4us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
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11,837.1us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioPreviouslyReportedMember
Operating Income (Loss)                   1,580.2us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioPreviouslyReportedMember
1,291.6us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioPreviouslyReportedMember
Operating segment | Adjustment | Changes in Currency Rates                      
Financial information of reportable segments                      
Net sales                   (323.5)us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet
/ ecl_ComparabilityAdjustmentsAxis
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/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
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(251.4)us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet
/ ecl_ComparabilityAdjustmentsAxis
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/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioAdjustmentMember
Operating Income (Loss)                   (55.1)us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss
/ ecl_ComparabilityAdjustmentsAxis
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/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
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(44.3)us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss
/ ecl_ComparabilityAdjustmentsAxis
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/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioAdjustmentMember
Operating segment | Global Industrial                      
Financial information of reportable segments                      
Net sales                 4,866.7us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= ecl_GlobalIndustrialMember
4,742.8us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
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/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= ecl_GlobalIndustrialMember
4,614.1us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= ecl_GlobalIndustrialMember
Operating Income (Loss)                 642.6us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= ecl_GlobalIndustrialMember
603.0us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
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/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
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542.2us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= ecl_GlobalIndustrialMember
Operating segment | Global Industrial | Previously reported                      
Financial information of reportable segments                      
Net sales                   4,905.1us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
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/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
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4,762.2us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet
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/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= ecl_GlobalIndustrialMember
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
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Operating Income (Loss)                   637.3us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss
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/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
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/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
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569.5us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss
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/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
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Operating segment | Global Industrial | Adjustment | Changes in Currency Rates                      
Financial information of reportable segments                      
Net sales                   (149.3)us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet
/ ecl_ComparabilityAdjustmentsAxis
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(137.4)us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet
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/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
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Operating Income (Loss)                   (27.1)us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss
/ ecl_ComparabilityAdjustmentsAxis
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(22.9)us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss
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/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
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Operating segment | Global Industrial | Adjustment | Segment Changes                      
Financial information of reportable segments                      
Net sales                   (13.0)us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet
/ ecl_ComparabilityAdjustmentsAxis
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(10.7)us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet
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/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
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Operating Income (Loss)                   (7.2)us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss
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(4.4)us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss
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Operating segment | Global Institutional                      
Financial information of reportable segments                      
Net sales                 4,314.5us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
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/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
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4,152.5us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet
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4,017.5us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= ecl_GlobalInstitutionalMember
Operating Income (Loss)                 821.2us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= ecl_GlobalInstitutionalMember
768.2us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss
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/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
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703.0us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
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/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= ecl_GlobalInstitutionalMember
Operating segment | Global Institutional | Previously reported                      
Financial information of reportable segments                      
Net sales                   4,202.5us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
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/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
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/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
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4,063.2us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet
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/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
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/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
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Operating Income (Loss)                   764.5us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
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700.7us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss
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Operating segment | Global Institutional | Adjustment | Changes in Currency Rates                      
Financial information of reportable segments                      
Net sales                   (55.4)us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet
/ ecl_ComparabilityAdjustmentsAxis
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(48.2)us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet
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Operating Income (Loss)                   (11.7)us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss
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(11.8)us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss
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Operating segment | Global Institutional | Adjustment | Segment Changes                      
Financial information of reportable segments                      
Net sales                   5.4us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet
/ ecl_ComparabilityAdjustmentsAxis
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2.5us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet
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/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
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/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioAdjustmentMember
Operating Income (Loss)                   15.4us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss
/ ecl_ComparabilityAdjustmentsAxis
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14.1us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss
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Operating segment | Global Energy                      
Financial information of reportable segments                      
Net sales                 4,283.8us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= ecl_GlobalEnergyMember
3,427.3us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet
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2,223.5us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
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/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
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Operating Income (Loss)                 634.9us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss
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/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= ecl_GlobalEnergyMember
458.9us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss
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/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
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336.9us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
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/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= ecl_GlobalEnergyMember
Operating segment | Global Energy | Previously reported                      
Financial information of reportable segments                      
Net sales                   3,532.8us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
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/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= ecl_GlobalEnergyMember
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
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2,275.4us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
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/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= ecl_GlobalEnergyMember
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioPreviouslyReportedMember
Operating Income (Loss)                   492.1us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
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/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
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/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
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360.7us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss
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= us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= ecl_GlobalEnergyMember
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioPreviouslyReportedMember
Operating segment | Global Energy | Adjustment | Changes in Currency Rates                      
Financial information of reportable segments                      
Net sales                   (113.1)us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet
/ ecl_ComparabilityAdjustmentsAxis
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(60.2)us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet
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/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
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/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioAdjustmentMember
Operating Income (Loss)                   (19.2)us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss
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/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
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(8.7)us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss
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/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= ecl_GlobalEnergyMember
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioAdjustmentMember
Operating segment | Global Energy | Adjustment | Segment Changes                      
Financial information of reportable segments                      
Net sales                   7.6us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet
/ ecl_ComparabilityAdjustmentsAxis
= ecl_ComparabilityAdjustmentsForSegmentChangesMember
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= ecl_GlobalEnergyMember
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioAdjustmentMember
8.3us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet
/ ecl_ComparabilityAdjustmentsAxis
= ecl_ComparabilityAdjustmentsForSegmentChangesMember
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= ecl_GlobalEnergyMember
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioAdjustmentMember
Operating Income (Loss)                   (14.0)us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss
/ ecl_ComparabilityAdjustmentsAxis
= ecl_ComparabilityAdjustmentsForSegmentChangesMember
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= ecl_GlobalEnergyMember
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioAdjustmentMember
(15.1)us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss
/ ecl_ComparabilityAdjustmentsAxis
= ecl_ComparabilityAdjustmentsForSegmentChangesMember
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= ecl_GlobalEnergyMember
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioAdjustmentMember
Operating segment | Other                      
Financial information of reportable segments                      
Net sales                 750.3us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= ecl_OtherReportableSegmentMember
709.3us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= ecl_OtherReportableSegmentMember
730.6us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= ecl_OtherReportableSegmentMember
Operating Income (Loss)                 116.5us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= ecl_OtherReportableSegmentMember
104.1us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= ecl_OtherReportableSegmentMember
107.5us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= ecl_OtherReportableSegmentMember
Operating segment | Other | Previously reported                      
Financial information of reportable segments                      
Net sales                   715.0us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= ecl_OtherReportableSegmentMember
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioPreviouslyReportedMember
736.3us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= ecl_OtherReportableSegmentMember
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioPreviouslyReportedMember
Operating Income (Loss)                   97.9us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= ecl_OtherReportableSegmentMember
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioPreviouslyReportedMember
103.0us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= ecl_OtherReportableSegmentMember
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioPreviouslyReportedMember
Operating segment | Other | Adjustment | Changes in Currency Rates                      
Financial information of reportable segments                      
Net sales                   (5.7)us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet
/ ecl_ComparabilityAdjustmentsAxis
= ecl_ComparabilityAdjustmentsForChangesInForeignCurrencyTranslationRateMember
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= ecl_OtherReportableSegmentMember
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioAdjustmentMember
(5.6)us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet
/ ecl_ComparabilityAdjustmentsAxis
= ecl_ComparabilityAdjustmentsForChangesInForeignCurrencyTranslationRateMember
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= ecl_OtherReportableSegmentMember
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioAdjustmentMember
Operating Income (Loss)                   0.4us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss
/ ecl_ComparabilityAdjustmentsAxis
= ecl_ComparabilityAdjustmentsForChangesInForeignCurrencyTranslationRateMember
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= ecl_OtherReportableSegmentMember
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioAdjustmentMember
(0.9)us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss
/ ecl_ComparabilityAdjustmentsAxis
= ecl_ComparabilityAdjustmentsForChangesInForeignCurrencyTranslationRateMember
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= ecl_OtherReportableSegmentMember
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioAdjustmentMember
Operating segment | Other | Adjustment | Segment Changes                      
Financial information of reportable segments                      
Net sales                     (0.1)us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet
/ ecl_ComparabilityAdjustmentsAxis
= ecl_ComparabilityAdjustmentsForSegmentChangesMember
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= ecl_OtherReportableSegmentMember
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioAdjustmentMember
Operating Income (Loss)                   5.8us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss
/ ecl_ComparabilityAdjustmentsAxis
= ecl_ComparabilityAdjustmentsForSegmentChangesMember
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= ecl_OtherReportableSegmentMember
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioAdjustmentMember
5.4us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss
/ ecl_ComparabilityAdjustmentsAxis
= ecl_ComparabilityAdjustmentsForSegmentChangesMember
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember
/ us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis
= ecl_OtherReportableSegmentMember
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioAdjustmentMember
Currency impact                      
Financial information of reportable segments                      
Net sales                 45.7us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= ecl_ForeignCurrencyTranslationAdjustmentMember
221.5us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= ecl_ForeignCurrencyTranslationAdjustmentMember
253.0us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= ecl_ForeignCurrencyTranslationAdjustmentMember
Operating Income (Loss)                 3.2us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= ecl_ForeignCurrencyTranslationAdjustmentMember
35.5us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= ecl_ForeignCurrencyTranslationAdjustmentMember
42.0us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= ecl_ForeignCurrencyTranslationAdjustmentMember
Currency impact | Previously reported                      
Financial information of reportable segments                      
Net sales                   (102.0)us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= ecl_ForeignCurrencyTranslationAdjustmentMember
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioPreviouslyReportedMember
1.6us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= ecl_ForeignCurrencyTranslationAdjustmentMember
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioPreviouslyReportedMember
Operating Income (Loss)                   (19.6)us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= ecl_ForeignCurrencyTranslationAdjustmentMember
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioPreviouslyReportedMember
(2.3)us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= ecl_ForeignCurrencyTranslationAdjustmentMember
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioPreviouslyReportedMember
Currency impact | Adjustment | Changes in Currency Rates                      
Financial information of reportable segments                      
Net sales                   323.5us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet
/ ecl_ComparabilityAdjustmentsAxis
= ecl_ComparabilityAdjustmentsForChangesInForeignCurrencyTranslationRateMember
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= ecl_ForeignCurrencyTranslationAdjustmentMember
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioAdjustmentMember
251.4us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet
/ ecl_ComparabilityAdjustmentsAxis
= ecl_ComparabilityAdjustmentsForChangesInForeignCurrencyTranslationRateMember
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= ecl_ForeignCurrencyTranslationAdjustmentMember
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioAdjustmentMember
Operating Income (Loss)                   55.1us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss
/ ecl_ComparabilityAdjustmentsAxis
= ecl_ComparabilityAdjustmentsForChangesInForeignCurrencyTranslationRateMember
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= ecl_ForeignCurrencyTranslationAdjustmentMember
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioAdjustmentMember
44.3us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss
/ ecl_ComparabilityAdjustmentsAxis
= ecl_ComparabilityAdjustmentsForChangesInForeignCurrencyTranslationRateMember
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= ecl_ForeignCurrencyTranslationAdjustmentMember
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioAdjustmentMember
Corporate                      
Financial information of reportable segments                      
Operating Income (Loss)                 (263.4)us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_CorporateNonSegmentMember
(409.1)us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_CorporateNonSegmentMember
(442.3)us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_CorporateNonSegmentMember
Corporate | Previously reported                      
Financial information of reportable segments                      
Operating Income (Loss)                   (411.6)us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_CorporateNonSegmentMember
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioPreviouslyReportedMember
(442.3)us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_CorporateNonSegmentMember
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioPreviouslyReportedMember
Corporate | Adjustment | Changes in Currency Rates                      
Financial information of reportable segments                      
Operating Income (Loss)                   2.5us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss
/ ecl_ComparabilityAdjustmentsAxis
= ecl_ComparabilityAdjustmentsForChangesInForeignCurrencyTranslationRateMember
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_CorporateNonSegmentMember
/ us-gaap_StatementScenarioAxis
= us-gaap_ScenarioAdjustmentMember
 
Intersegment                      
Financial information of reportable segments                      
Net sales                 $ 0us-gaap_SalesRevenueNet
/ us-gaap_ConsolidationItemsAxis
= us-gaap_IntersegmentEliminationMember