v2.4.0.8

Restructuring Costs (Restructuring Reserves By Cost Type) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified | 9 Months Ended
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Sep. 30, 2013
Project Renewal [Member] |
Beginning Balance | $ 23.3
Restructuring Reserve, Period Increase (Decrease) | 98.8
Costs Incurred | (46.8)
Ending Balance | 75.3
Project Renewal [Member] | Employee Severance, Termination Benefits And Relocation Costs [Member] |
Beginning Balance | 19.0
Restructuring Reserve, Period Increase (Decrease) | 80.5
Costs Incurred | (32.3)
Ending Balance | 67.2
Project Renewal [Member] | Contract Termination [Member] |
Beginning Balance | 4.3
Restructuring Reserve, Period Increase (Decrease) | 14.3
Costs Incurred | (10.5)
Ending Balance | 8.1
European Transformation Plan [Member] |
Beginning Balance | 12.9
Restructuring Reserve, Period Increase (Decrease) | (1.8)
Costs Incurred | (7.5)
Ending Balance | 3.6
European Transformation Plan [Member] | Employee Severance, Termination Benefits And Relocation Costs [Member] |
Beginning Balance | 10.9
Restructuring Reserve, Period Increase (Decrease) | (3.4)
Costs Incurred | (4.7)
Ending Balance | 2.8
European Transformation Plan [Member] | Contract Termination [Member] |
Beginning Balance | 2.0
Restructuring Reserve, Period Increase (Decrease) | 1.6
Costs Incurred | (2.8)
Ending Balance | 0.8
Project Renewal [Member] | Facility Exit Costs and Other [Member] |
Beginning Balance | 0
Restructuring Reserve, Period Increase (Decrease) | 4.0
Costs Incurred | (4.0)
Ending Balance | $ 0

X
- Definition Amount of cash and other consideration paid in the period to fully or partially settle a specified, previously accrued type of restructuring cost. May also include certain costs incurred as paid as well as asset write-downs. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | nwl_RestructuringReserveSettled
Namespace Prefix: | nwl_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Carrying amount (including both current and noncurrent portions of the accrual) as of the balance sheet date pertaining to a specified type of cost associated with exit from or disposal of business activities or restructuring pursuant to a duly authorized plan. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) -Number 95-3 -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009.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 420 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (SAB TOPIC 5.P.4(b)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6394695&loc=d3e140904-122747 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB) -Number Topic 5 -Section P -Subsection 3, 4 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_RestructuringReserve
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Net total Increase or Decrease in the accrual for restructuring costs during the reporting period. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) -Number 95-3 -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 420 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (SAB TOPIC 5.P.4(b)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6394695&loc=d3e140904-122747 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB) -Number Topic 5 -Section P -Subsection 3, 4 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 146 -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. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_RestructuringReservePeriodIncreaseDecrease
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration