v2.4.0.8

Restructuring Costs (Restructuring Reserves By Segment) (Details) (Project Renewal [Member], USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified | 3 Months Ended
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Mar. 31, 2014
Beginning Balance | $ 67.4
Restructuring Reserve, Period Increase (Decrease) | 13.5
Restructuring Reserve Settled | (31.0)
Ending Balance | 49.9
Writing [Member] |
Beginning Balance | 25.8
Restructuring Reserve, Period Increase (Decrease) | 0.9
Restructuring Reserve Settled | (4.3)
Ending Balance | 22.4
Home Solutions [Member] |
Beginning Balance | 0.7
Restructuring Reserve, Period Increase (Decrease) | 0.4
Restructuring Reserve Settled | (0.9)
Ending Balance | 0.2
Tools [Member] |
Beginning Balance | 0.3
Restructuring Reserve, Period Increase (Decrease) | 0.9
Restructuring Reserve Settled | (1.1)
Ending Balance | 0.1
Commercial Products [Member] |
Beginning Balance | 6.8
Restructuring Reserve, Period Increase (Decrease) | 3.1
Restructuring Reserve Settled | (2.1)
Ending Balance | 7.8
Baby & Parenting Segment [Member] |
Beginning Balance | 1.4
Restructuring Reserve, Period Increase (Decrease) | 0.3
Restructuring Reserve Settled | (0.9)
Ending Balance | 0.8
Corporate [Member] |
Beginning Balance | 32.4
Restructuring Reserve, Period Increase (Decrease) | 7.9
Restructuring Reserve Settled | (21.7)
Ending Balance | $ 18.6

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 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=27011515&loc=d3e140904-122747 Reference 2: 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 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=27011515&loc=d3e140904-122747 Reference 2: 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_RestructuringReservePeriodIncreaseDecrease
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration