v2.4.0.8

Employee Benefit And Retirement Plans (Narrative) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified | 9 Months Ended
--- | ---
Sep. 30, 2013 | Sep. 30, 2012
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] |  |
Defined Contribution Benefit Arrangement, Employer Contributions | $ 17.6 | $ 18.8
United States Pension Plans of US Entity, Defined Benefit [Member] |  |
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items] |  |
Pension Contributions | $ 100.0 |

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- Definition Defined Contribution Benefit Arrangement, Employer Contributions + References No definition available. + Details
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Namespace Prefix: | nwl_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

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- Details
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Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

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- Definition The amount of cash or cash equivalents contributed by the entity to fund its pension plans. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 95 -Paragraph 28 -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009.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 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 + Details
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Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration