v2.4.0.6

Subsequent Events Subsequent Events (Project Renewal) (Details) | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2011
Subsequent Event [Line Items] |
Number of Operating Groups in 2011 | three
Number of Operating Groups in 2012 | two
Number of Global Business Units in 2011 | 13
Number of Global Business Units in 2012 | nine

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- Definition Number of Global Business Units in 2011 + References No definition available. + Details
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Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
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Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Number of Global Business Units in 2012 + References No definition available. + Details
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Namespace Prefix: | nwl_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
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Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Number of Operating Groups in 2011 + References No definition available. + Details
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Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
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Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Number of Operating Groups in 2012 + References No definition available. + Details
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Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Details
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