CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
Net income including noncontrolling interest	$ 1,440.3	$ 1,518.6	$ 1,246.5
Foreign currency translation adjustments
Foreign currency translation	(223.3)	208.0	(230.4)
Gain (loss) on net investment hedges	57.5	(109.7)	(2.5)
Total foreign currency translation adjustments	(165.8)	98.3	(232.9)
Derivatives and hedging instruments	28.4	(17.9)	(17.5)
Pension and postretirement benefits
Current period net actuarial loss	(37.8)	(33.4)	(102.3)
Pension and postretirement prior period service costs and benefits	(2.3)	(0.5)	7.7
Amortization of net actuarial loss and prior service cost included in net periodic pension and postretirement costs	13.2	24.7	20.2
Pension and postretirement benefits changes	44.9		33.9
Total pension and postretirement benefits	18.0	(9.2)	(40.5)
Subtotal	(119.4)	71.2	(290.9)
Total comprehensive income, including noncontrolling interest	1,320.9	1,589.8	955.6
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest	10.1	15.7	16.2
Comprehensive income attributable to Ecolab	$ 1,310.8	$ 1,574.1	$ 939.4