XML 65 R46.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
v3.8.0.1

Description of Business and Significant Accounting Policies - Additional Information (Detail) | 12 Months Ended
--- | ---
Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($) Segment | Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($) | Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($)
Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] |  |  |
Number of business segments | Segment | 5 |  |
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of tax, attributable to non-controlling interest | $ 2,700,000 | $ 2,000,000 |
Foreign currency transaction loss, before tax | 11,000,000 | 2,200,000 | $ 17,900,000
Operating income (loss) | 1,225,700,000 | 1,100,100,000 | 601,400,000
Deconsolidation loss, amount |  |  | (172,700,000)
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses [Member] |  |  |
Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] |  |  |
Advertising expense | 587,000,000 | 431,000,000 | 214,000,000
Research and development expense | $ 224,000,000 | 188,000,000 | 113,000,000
Sprue Aegis [Member] |  |  |
Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] |  |  |
Investment owned, percentage | 23.40% |  |
Revenue from related parties | $ 33,500,000 | $ 23,200,000 |
Venezuelan Operations [Member] |  |  |
Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] |  |  |
Cost method investments, original cost |  |  | $ 0
Net sales as a percentage of consolidated net sales |  |  | 2.20%
Operating income (loss) |  |  | $ 51,100,000
Deconsolidation loss, amount |  |  | $ 173,000,000
Net Assets | 74,700,000 |  |
Other Assets | 58,300,000 |  |
Venezuelan Operations [Member] | Total Venezuelan related net assets written off [Member] |  |  |
Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] |  |  |
Deconsolidation loss, amount | 133,000,000 |  |
Venezuelan Operations [Member] | Previous Venezuelan related foreign currency translation adjustments [Member] |  |  |
Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] |  |  |
Deconsolidation loss, amount | $ 39,700,000 |  |
Stock Options [Member] |  |  |
Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] |  |  |
Share-based compensation arrangement by share-based payment award, vesting period | 3 years |  |
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member] |  |  |
Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] |  |  |
Share-based compensation arrangement by share-based payment award, vesting period | 3 years |  |
Minimum [Member] | Land, Buildings and Improvements [Member] |  |  |
Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] |  |  |
Property, plant and equipment, useful life | 20 years |  |
Minimum [Member] | Machinery and Equipment [Member] |  |  |
Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] |  |  |
Property, plant and equipment, useful life | 3 years |  |
Minimum [Member] | Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member] |  |  |
Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] |  |  |
Share-based compensation arrangement by share-based payment award, vesting period | 1 year |  |
Maximum [Member] | Land, Buildings and Improvements [Member] |  |  |
Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] |  |  |
Property, plant and equipment, useful life | 40 years |  |
Maximum [Member] | Machinery and Equipment [Member] |  |  |
Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] |  |  |
Property, plant and equipment, useful life | 15 years |  |
Maximum [Member] | Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member] |  |  |
Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items] |  |  |
Share-based compensation arrangement by share-based payment award, vesting period | 3 years |  |

X
- Definition Basis of presentation and significant accounting policies. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | nwl_BasisOfPresentationAndSignificantAccountingPoliciesLineItems
Namespace Prefix: | nwl_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Net Sales As A Percentage of Consolidated Net Sales + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | nwl_NetSalesAsPercentageOfConsolidatedNetSales
Namespace Prefix: | nwl_
Data Type: | num:percentItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Amount charged to advertising expense for the period, which are expenses incurred with the objective of increasing revenue for a specified brand, product or product line. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 720 -SubTopic 35 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6420018&loc=d3e36677-107848 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_AdvertisingExpense
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Amount of net assets (liabilities). + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 946 -SubTopic 225 -Section S99 -Paragraph 3 -Subparagraph (SX 210.6-09(6)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6488393&loc=d3e606914-122999 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 946 -SubTopic 210 -Section S99 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (SX 210.6-05(4)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6488278&loc=d3e604008-122996 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 946 -SubTopic 205 -Section 45 -Paragraph 3 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=79984436&loc=d3e9915-115836 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 205 -SubTopic 30 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=77885760&loc=SL35686385-199418 Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 946 -SubTopic 225 -Section S99 -Paragraph 3 -Subparagraph (SX 210.6-09(7)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6488393&loc=d3e606914-122999 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_AssetsNet
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Original amount of cost-method investments at the acquisition date. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_CostMethodInvestmentsOriginalCost
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition The amount of the gain (loss) recognized by the parent and included in its attributable portion of net income for the period due to deconsolidation of a subsidiary or derecognition of a group of assets. The gain (loss) recognized and included in the net income attributable to the parent for the period is generally computed as the difference between: (a) the aggregate of: (1) the fair value of any consideration received; (2) the fair value of any retained noncontrolling investment in the former subsidiary at the date the subsidiary was deconsolidated; and (3) the carrying amount of any noncontrolling interest in the former subsidiary (including any accumulated other comprehensive income attributable to the noncontrolling interest) at the date the subsidiary was deconsolidated and (b) the carrying amount of the former subsidiary's assets and liabilities. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 810 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1B -Subparagraph (a) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=84161450&loc=SL4582445-111684 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_DeconsolidationGainOrLossAmount
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The percentage of ownership of common stock or equity participation in the investee accounted for under the equity method of accounting. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 323 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 3 -Subparagraph (a)(1) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=66011266&loc=d3e33918-111571 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentOwnershipPercentage
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | num:percentItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Amount before tax of foreign currency transaction realized and unrealized loss recognized in the income statement. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 830 -SubTopic 20 -Section 45 -Paragraph 1 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64836518&loc=d3e30690-110894 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 830 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6450222&loc=d3e30840-110895 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 830 -SubTopic 20 -Section 45 -Paragraph 2 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=64836518&loc=d3e30700-110894 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_ForeignCurrencyTransactionLossBeforeTax
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Amount after tax of income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to the noncontrolling interest. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 810 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 19 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=96868048&loc=SL4569616-111683 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 810 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 15 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=96868048&loc=SL4568447-111683 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsAttributableToNoncontrollingEntity
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Number of segments reported by the entity. A reportable segment is a component of an entity for which there is an accounting requirement to report separate financial information on that component in the entity's financial statements. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_NumberOfReportableSegments
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The net result for the period of deducting operating expenses from operating revenues. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Amount of assets classified as other. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 942 -SubTopic 210 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03(10)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 944 -SubTopic 210 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03(a)(10)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910 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(17)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_OtherAssets
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Useful life of long lived, physical assets used in the normal conduct of business and not intended for resale, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days. Examples include, but not limited to, land, buildings, machinery and equipment, office equipment, furniture and fixtures, and computer equipment. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentUsefulLife
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The aggregate costs incurred (1) in a planned search or critical investigation aimed at discovery of new knowledge with the hope that such knowledge will be useful in developing a new product or service, a new process or technique, or in bringing about a significant improvement to an existing product or process; or (2) to translate research findings or other knowledge into a plan or design for a new product or process or for a significant improvement to an existing product or process whether intended for sale or the entity's use, during the reporting period charged to research and development projects, including the costs of developing computer software up to the point in time of achieving technological feasibility, and costs allocated in accounting for a business combination to in-process projects deemed to have no alternative future use. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 730 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6420194&loc=d3e21568-108373 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 985 -SubTopic 20 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6501960&loc=d3e128462-111756 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_ResearchAndDevelopmentExpense
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Amount of revenue, fees and commissions earned from transactions between (a) a parent company and its subsidiaries; (b) subsidiaries of a common parent; (c) an entity and trusts for the benefit of employees, for example, but not limited to, pension and profit-sharing trusts that are managed by or under the trusteeship of the entity's management; (d) an entity and its principal, owners, management, or members of their immediate families; and (e) affiliates. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 225 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.1(e)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=63488584&loc=d3e20235-122688 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 946 -SubTopic 225 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.6-07.1(c)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6488393&loc=d3e606610-122999 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_RevenueFromRelatedParties
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Period which an employee's right to exercise an award is no longer contingent on satisfaction of either a service condition, market condition or a performance condition, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 718 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (a)(1) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=96867065&loc=d3e5070-113901 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingPeriod1
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis=us-gaap_SellingGeneralAndAdministrativeExpensesMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis=nwl_SprueAegisMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | dei_LegalEntityAxis=nwl_VenezuelanOperationsMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis=nwl_TotalVenezuelanrelatednetassetswrittenoffMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis=nwl_PreviousVenezuelanrelatedforeigncurrencytranslationadjustmentsMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis=us-gaap_EmployeeStockOptionMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis=us-gaap_RestrictedStockUnitsRSUMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_RangeAxis=us-gaap_MinimumMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis=us-gaap_LandBuildingsAndImprovementsMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentByTypeAxis=us-gaap_MachineryAndEquipmentMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_RangeAxis=us-gaap_MaximumMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |