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Commitments and Contingencies (Narrative) (Details) In Millions, unless otherwise specified			12 Months Ended	51 Months Ended		3 Months Ended				1 Months Ended		12 Months Ended	24 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2013 BRL	Dec. 31, 2012 Pending Litigation	Mar. 31, 2013 Pending Litigation USD ($)	Feb. 12, 2013 Pending Litigation USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2012 Settlement with Brazilian Government in BRL BRL	Sep. 30, 2011 Settlement with Brazilian Government in BRL BRL	Mar. 31, 2012 Settlement with Brazilian Government in USD USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2011 Settlement with Brazilian Government in USD USD ($)	Jan. 31, 2013 Brazil tax matters USD ($)	Jan. 31, 2013 Brazil tax matters BRL	Dec. 31, 2009 Brazil tax matters USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2004 Brazil tax matters USD ($)
Commitments and Contingencies [Line Items]
Embraco percent of global net sales			8.00%
Loss Contingency, Settlement Agreement, Consideration					$ 30
Loss Contingency Gross Amount Accrued				360
Estimate of probable loss, remaining accrued				111
Installment Payments to be paid through 2015				74
Litigation Settlement, Gross							959
Amount of settlement paid						490	469	275	301
IPI tax credits recognized													26
Special government program settlement												34
Tax Assessment										93	187
Outstanding BEFIEX tax assessment	$ 600	1,200

X

- Definition

This element represents the expenses incurred by the entity which are directly related and attributable to receiving an award in settlement of litigation.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

X

- Definition

This element represents the gross amount awarded, to be received by, or to be remitted to the entity in settlement of litigation occurring during the period.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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

X

- Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

The carrying amount as of the balance sheet date of the combined total of loss contingency liabilities.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 450

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6952336&loc=d3e14326-108349



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-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 5

-Paragraph 9, 10, 11, 12

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

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Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

X

- Definition

Amount of consideration the entity has agreed to pay to settle a legal matter.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 450

-SubTopic 20

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6952336&loc=d3e14326-108349



Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

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-Publisher FASB

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-Section 50

-Paragraph 9

-Subparagraph (b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6952336&loc=d3e14557-108349

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X

- Definition

The amount of cash paid for the settlement of litigation or for other legal issues during the period.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 25

-Subparagraph (g)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6943989&loc=d3e3536-108585



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-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 95

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-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

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Balance Type:	credit
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X

- Definition

Embraco Percent Of Global Net Sales

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	whr_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

Installment Payments to be pd through 2015

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	whr_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
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X

- Definition

IPI tax credits recognized

+ References

No definition available.

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Namespace Prefix:	whr_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
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X

- Definition

Outstanding BEFIEX tax assessment

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

X

- Definition

Total charges recognized in the income statement associated with special government program to encourage tax payers to resolve disputed tax matters.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	whr_
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Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

Tax Assessment

+ References

No definition available.

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Namespace Prefix:	whr_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration