Acquisitions and Divestitures - Narrative (Details)			12 Months Ended
	Mar. 21, 2017 USD ($) $ / shares	Aug. 01, 2015 USD ($)	May 31, 2017 segment_business	May 31, 2016 segment_business	May 31, 2015 transaction buyer
Storage Business | Discontinued Operations, Held-for-sale
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of transactions involved in sale of business | transaction					3
Number of buyers involved in sale of business | buyer					3
Series of Business Acquisitions | Uniform Rental and Facility Services
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of businesses acquired | segment_business			3	2
Series of Business Acquisitions | First Aid and Safety Services
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of businesses acquired | segment_business			4	2
Series of Business Acquisitions | All Other
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of businesses acquired | segment_business			11	6
G & K Services
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Consideration transferred	$ 2,112,811,000
Share price of acquisition (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 97.50
Net consideration transferred	$ 2,078,418,000
Goodwill deductible for tax purposes	0
Cash consideration	$ 1,901,845,000
G & K Services | Service contracts
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Amortization Period (in years)			15 years
G & K Services | Level 3
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Discount rate (as a percent)	9.50%
ZEE
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Consideration transferred		$ 134,000,000
Cash consideration		120,600,000
Liabilities acquired		$ 13,400,000
ZEE | Service contracts
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Amortization Period (in years)			10 years
ZEE | Level 3
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Discount rate (as a percent)			11.00%
Real Property | G & K Services
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Fair value of property plant and equipment	$ 141,800,000
Personal Property | G & K Services
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Fair value of property plant and equipment	$ 112,200,000