Katy Industries - Balance Sheet (in thousands) (Parentheticals) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
15% Convertible preferred stock, $100 par value (in Dollars per share)	$ 100	$ 100
15% Convertible preferred stock, authorized 1,200,000 shares (in Shares)	1,200,000	1,200,000
15% Convertible preferred stock, 1,131,551 issued shares (in Shares)	1,131,551	1,131,551
15% Convertible preferred stock, 1,131,551 shares outstanding (in Shares)	1,131,551	1,131,551
15% Convertible preferred stock liquidation value $113,155 (in Dollars)	$ 113,155	$ 113,155
Common stock, $1 par value (in Dollars per share)	$ 1	$ 1
Common stock, shares authorized (in Shares)	35,000,000	35,000,000
Common stock, shares issued (in Shares)	9,822,304	9,822,304
Common stock, 9,822,304 shares outstanding (in Shares)	9,822,304	9,822,304
Treasury stock, at cost, 1,871,128 (in Shares)	1,871,128	1,871,128