v2.4.0.6

Debt (Receivables-Related Borrowings) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified |  |  | 3 Months Ended
--- | --- | --- | ---
Dec. 31, 2011 | Dec. 31, 2010 | Dec. 31, 2011 Receivables Facility [Member]
Maximum borrowing capacity |  |  | $ 200.0
Maturity date |  |  | Sep. 01, 2012
Outstanding accounts receivable |  |  | 618.2
Receivables facility | $ 100.0 | $ 100.0 |
Weighted average interest rate | 2.20% | 1.60% | 1.00%

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- Definition Secured financing facility where underlying trade receivables are not accounted for as "sale" under ASC 860 with initial maturity date of the financing facility being 364 days. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | nwl_ReceivablesFacility
Namespace Prefix: | nwl_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

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- Definition Maximum borrowing capacity under the receivables financing facility without consideration of the amounts currently outstanding under the facility. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | nwl_ReceivablesFinancingFacilityMaximumBorrowingCapacity
Namespace Prefix: | nwl_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

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- Definition Date when the debt instrument is scheduled to be fully repaid, which may be presented in a variety of ways (year, month and year, day, month and year, quarter, etc.). + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 129 -Paragraph 2, 4 -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009.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. Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 22 -Article 5 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22(a)(2)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_DebtInstrumentMaturityDate
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:dateItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

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- Definition Discussion of whether the borrowings under the credit facility are secured or unsecured and, if secured, a description of collateral (for example, accounts receivable less than 120 days old, finished goods inventory). + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 129 -Paragraph 2, 4 -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. Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 19, 22 -Article 5 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 235 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.4-08.(b)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6881521&loc=d3e23780-122690 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityCollateral
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

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- Definition Reflects the calculation as of the balance sheet date of the average interest rate weighted by the amount of short-term debt outstanding by type or by instrument at that time. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 02 -Paragraph 19 -Subparagraph b -Article 5 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 210 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.19(b)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_ShortTermDebtWeightedAverageInterestRate
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | num:percentItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant