OPERATING SEGMENTS - Reportable segment information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2025	Sep. 30, 2024	Sep. 30, 2025	Sep. 30, 2024
OPERATING SEGMENTS
Net sales	$ 4,165.0	$ 3,998.5	$ 11,885.2	$ 11,736.2
Cost of sales	2,299.4	2,261.5	6,582.4	6,630.6
Selling, general and administrative expenses	1,079.2	1,024.8	3,196.9	3,178.2
Special (gains) and charges	26.2	(332.6)	80.3	(292.2)
Operating Income (Loss)	760.2	1,044.8	2,025.6	2,219.6
Operating segment
OPERATING SEGMENTS
Net sales	3,991.9	3,886.7	11,552.2	11,379.5
Cost of sales	2,202.2	2,197.1	6,394.7	6,424.7
Selling, general and administrative expenses	1,042.6	1,003.0	3,122.9	3,106.5
Special (gains) and charges	24.3	(332.6)	77.7	(292.1)
Operating Income (Loss)	722.8	1,019.2	1,956.9	2,140.4
Currency impact
OPERATING SEGMENTS
Net sales	173.1	111.8	333.0	356.7
Operating Income (Loss)	37.4	25.6	68.7	79.2
Global Water
OPERATING SEGMENTS
Net sales	2,054.6	1,966.4	5,858.3	5,741.4
Global Water \| Operating segment
OPERATING SEGMENTS
Net sales	1,953.5	1,897.6	5,662.5	5,515.8
Cost of sales	1,163.6	1,137.3	3,380.7	3,297.6
Selling, general and administrative expenses	453.9	435.5	1,379.5	1,361.2
Operating Income (Loss)	336.0	324.8	902.3	857.0
Global Pest Elimination
OPERATING SEGMENTS
Net sales	331.8	307.2	929.8	869.0
Global Pest Elimination \| Operating segment
OPERATING SEGMENTS
Net sales	322.6	301.7	912.0	852.2
Cost of sales	179.0	168.0	516.8	475.8
Selling, general and administrative expenses	76.2	73.2	220.5	209.4
Operating Income (Loss)	67.4	60.5	174.7	167.0
Global Institutional and Specialty
OPERATING SEGMENTS
Net sales	1,593.9	1,556.7	4,556.5	4,614.7
Global Institutional and Specialty \| Operating segment
OPERATING SEGMENTS
Net sales	1,544.8	1,525.7	4,463.0	4,520.7
Cost of sales	765.8	798.4	2,212.8	2,372.5
Selling, general and administrative expenses	414.0	399.7	1,227.2	1,233.7
Operating Income (Loss)	365.0	327.6	1,023.0	914.5
Global Life Sciences
OPERATING SEGMENTS
Net sales	184.7	168.2	540.6	511.1
Global Life Sciences \| Operating segment
OPERATING SEGMENTS
Net sales	171.0	161.7	514.7	490.8
Cost of sales	93.6	92.5	276.8	275.6
Selling, general and administrative expenses	49.3	45.3	149.8	155.0
Operating Income (Loss)	28.1	23.9	88.1	60.2
Corporate \| Operating segment
OPERATING SEGMENTS
Cost of sales	0.2	0.9	7.6	3.2
Selling, general and administrative expenses	49.2	49.3	145.9	147.2
Special (gains) and charges	24.3	(332.6)	77.7	(292.1)
Operating Income (Loss)	$ (73.7)	$ 282.4	$ (231.2)	$ 141.7

The aggregate costs related to goods produced and sold and services rendered by an entity during the reporting period. This excludes costs incurred during the reporting period related to financial services rendered and other revenue generating activities.

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Topic 220
-SubTopic 10
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section S99
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03(2)(d))
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147483621/220-10-S99-2

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Topic 220
-SubTopic 10
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section S99
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03(2)(a))
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147483621/220-10-S99-2

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Topic 924
-SubTopic 10
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SAB Topic 11.L)
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147479941/924-10-S99-1

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_CostOfGoodsAndServicesSold
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The net result for the period of deducting operating expenses from operating revenues.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef
-Topic 280
-SubTopic 10
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 50
-Paragraph 22
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147482810/280-10-50-22

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef
-Topic 280
-SubTopic 10
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 50
-Paragraph 32
-Subparagraph (f)
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147482810/280-10-50-32

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef
-Topic 280
-SubTopic 10
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 50
-Paragraph 30
-Subparagraph (b)
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147482810/280-10-50-30

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef
-Topic 270
-SubTopic 10
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (i)
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147482964/270-10-50-1

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef
-Topic 280
-SubTopic 10
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 50
-Paragraph 32
-Subparagraph (ee)
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147482810/280-10-50-32

Reference 6: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/otherTransitionRef
-Topic 280
-SubTopic 10
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 50
-Paragraph 32
-Subparagraph (c)
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147482810/280-10-50-32

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/exampleRef
-Topic 280
-SubTopic 10
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 50
-Paragraph 31
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147482810/280-10-50-31

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of other expense (income) that is infrequent in occurrence or unusual in nature.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Topic 220
-SubTopic 20
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147483613/220-20-50-1

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_OtherNonrecurringIncomeExpense
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount, excluding tax collected from customer, of revenue from satisfaction of performance obligation by transferring promised good or service to customer. Tax collected from customer is tax assessed by governmental authority that is both imposed on and concurrent with specific revenue-producing transaction, including, but not limited to, sales, use, value added and excise.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Topic 280
-SubTopic 10
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 50
-Paragraph 41
-Subparagraph (a)
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147482810/280-10-50-41

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Topic 270
-SubTopic 10
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (i)
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147482964/270-10-50-1

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Topic 280
-SubTopic 10
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 50
-Paragraph 32
-Subparagraph (ee)
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147482810/280-10-50-32

Reference 4: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/otherTransitionRef
-Topic 280
-SubTopic 10
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 50
-Paragraph 32
-Subparagraph (b)
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147482810/280-10-50-32

Reference 5: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/otherTransitionRef
-Topic 280
-SubTopic 10
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 50
-Paragraph 32
-Subparagraph (a)
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147482810/280-10-50-32

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Topic 924
-SubTopic 10
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SAB Topic 11.L)
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147479941/924-10-S99-1

Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Topic 606
-SubTopic 10
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 50
-Paragraph 5
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147479806/606-10-50-5

Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Topic 280
-SubTopic 10
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 50
-Paragraph 30
-Subparagraph (a)
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147482810/280-10-50-30

Reference 9: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Topic 280
-SubTopic 10
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 50
-Paragraph 42
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147482810/280-10-50-42

Reference 10: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Topic 280
-SubTopic 10
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 50
-Paragraph 22
-Subparagraph (b)
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147482810/280-10-50-22

Reference 11: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Topic 280
-SubTopic 10
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 50
-Paragraph 40
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147482810/280-10-50-40

Reference 12: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Topic 280
-SubTopic 10
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 50
-Paragraph 22
-Subparagraph (a)
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147482810/280-10-50-22

Reference 13: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Topic 606
-SubTopic 10
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4
-Subparagraph (a)
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147479806/606-10-50-4

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The aggregate total costs related to selling a firm's product and services, as well as all other general and administrative expenses. Direct selling expenses (for example, credit, warranty, and advertising) are expenses that can be directly linked to the sale of specific products. Indirect selling expenses are expenses that cannot be directly linked to the sale of specific products, for example telephone expenses, Internet, and postal charges. General and administrative expenses include salaries of non-sales personnel, rent, utilities, communication, etc.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_SellingGeneralAndAdministrativeExpense
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis=us-gaap_OperatingSegmentsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis=us-gaap_MaterialReconcilingItemsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis=ecl_WaterServicesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis=ecl_GlobalPestEliminationMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis=ecl_GlobalInstitutionalMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis=ecl_GlobalHealthcareAndLifeSciencesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis=us-gaap_CorporateMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type: