Subsequent Event	9 Months Ended
Subsequent Event	Sep. 30, 2012
Subsequent Events [Abstract]
Schedule of Subsequent Events [Table Text Block]	Subsequent Events European Strategic Changes On October 23, 2012, we approved strategic changes related to our Western and Central European consumer and professional businesses to focus our resources and investments on stronger market positions and growth opportunities. We will be exiting the diaper category in that region, with the exception of the Italian market, and divesting or exiting some lower-margin businesses, mostly in consumer tissue, in certain markets. The changes will primarily affect our consumer businesses, with a modest impact on K-C Professional. Restructuring actions related to the strategic changes will involve the sale or closure of five of our European manufacturing facilities and a streamlining of our administrative organization. In total, these actions will result in reducing our European workforce by approximately 1,300 to 1,500 positions. The restructuring actions will commence in the fourth quarter of 2012 and are expected to be completed by December 2014. The restructuring is expected to result in cumulative charges of approximately $250 to $350 million after tax ($300 to $400 million pre-tax) over that period. We anticipate that the pre-tax charges will fall into the following categories and approximate dollar ranges: workforce reduction costs ($140 to $175 million); asset impairment charges ($120 to $150 million); incremental depreciation ($30 to $40 million) and other associated costs ($10 to $35 million). Cash costs related to severance and other expenses are expected to account for approximately 50 to 60 percent of the charges. Noncash charges will consist primarily of asset impairment charges and incremental depreciation. U.S. Pension Plan Lump Sum Offering In order to reduce the size and potential future volatility of our U.S. defined benefit pension plan obligation, we have offered approximately 10,000 former employees who have deferred vested pension plan benefits a one-time option to receive a lump sum distribution of their benefits by the end of 2012. The vested benefit obligation associated with these former employees is approximately $570 million, equivalent to about 15 percent of our benefit obligation for the U.S. qualified plan. Eligible participants have until November 21, 2012 to make their election. If the percentage of eligible participants that choose the lump sum option exceeds approximately 45 percent, we will recognize a one-time, non-cash settlement charge in the fourth quarter. The lump sum payments will be funded from existing pension plan assets and will occur by the end of 2012.

Tabular disclosure of significant events or transactions that occurred after the balance sheet date through the date the financial statements were issued or the date the financial statements were available to be issued. Examples include: the sale of a capital stock issue, purchase of a business, settlement of litigation, losses resulting from fire or flood, losses on receivables, significant realized and unrealized gains and losses that result from changes in quoted market prices of securities, declines in market prices of inventory, changes in authorized or issued debt (SEC), significant foreign exchange rate changes, substantial loans to insiders or affiliates, significant long-term investments, and substantial dividends not in the ordinary course of business.

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