Document and Entity Information [Abstract] Document and Entity Information Statement [Table] Legal Entity [Axis] Entity [Domain] Whirlpool Worldwide [Member] Statement [Line Items] Document Type Document Period End Date Document Fiscal Year Focus Document Fiscal Period Focus Amendment Flag Entity Registrant Name Entity Central Index Key Entity Current Reporting Status Entity Voluntary Filers Current Fiscal Year End Date Entity Filer Category Entity Well-Known Seasoned Issuer Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding Entity Public Float CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME Net sales Sales Revenue, Net, Total Expenses Cost of products sold Cost of Goods Sold, Total Cost of goods sold Gross Margin Gross Margin Selling, general and administrative Selling, general and administrative Selling, General and Administrative Expense, Total Intangible amortization Amortization of Intangible Assets, Total Restructuring charges Restructuring costs Restructuring Charges, Total Charge to Earnings Operating profit Operating profit Other income (expense) Nonoperating Income (Expense) Nonoperating Income (Expense), Total Interest and sundry income (expense) Interest Expense Interest expense Interest Expense, Total Interest expense Earnings before income taxes and other items Earnings before income taxes and other items Earnings from continuing operations before income taxes and other items Income tax benefit Income tax rate computed at effective worldwide tax rates Total income tax benefit Income tax (benefit) expense Earnings Before Equity Earnings. Earnings Before Equity Earnings Earnings before equity earnings Earnings before equity earnings Income (Loss) from Equity Method Investments Income (Loss) from Equity Method Investments, Total Equity in loss of affiliated companies Net earnings Earnings from continuing operations before noncontrolling interest Net earnings Less: Net earnings available to noncontrolling interests Less: Net earnings available to noncontrolling interests Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Total Net earnings available to Whirlpool common stockholders Net earnings Net earnings available to Whirlpool Numerator for basic and diluted earnings per share - net earnings available to Whirlpool Per share of common stock Basic net earnings available to Whirlpool Per share of common stock: Basic net earnings Earnings Per Share, Basic, Total Basic earnings from continuing operations Diluted net earnings available to Whirlpool Per share of common stock: Diluted net earnings Earnings Per Share, Diluted, Total Diluted earnings from continuing operations Common Stock Dividends Per Share Cash Paid Dividends Per share of common stock: Dividends Weighted-average shares outstanding Basic Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Basic, Total Denominator for basic earnings per share - weighted-average shares Diluted Number of common shares outstanding, average-on a diluted basis Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted, Total Denominator for diluted earnings per share - adjusted weighted-average shares CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS Assets Current assets Cash and equivalents Cash and equivalents at end of year Cash and equivalents at beginning of year Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value, Total Accounts receivable, net of allowance of $66 in 2010 and $76 in 2009 Accounts Receivable, Net, Current, Total Inventory, Net Work in process Total inventories Inventories Deferred Tax Assets Net Current Deferred Tax Assets, Net, Current, Ending Balance Deferred Tax Assets, Net, Current, Beginning Balance Deferred Tax Assets, Net, Current, Total Deferred income taxes Prepaid Expense, Current Prepaid and other current assets Prepaid Expense, Current, Total Total current assets Current assets Total current assets Total property, plant and equipment, net Property, Plant and Equipment, Net, Ending Balance Property, Plant and Equipment, Net, Beginning Balance Property, net Property, plant and equipment, net Property, net of accumulated depreciation of $6,660 in 2010 and $6,360 in 2009 Goodwill Goodwill, Ending Balance Goodwill, Beginning Balance Net carrying amount of goodwill Other intangibles, net of accumulated amortization of $146 in 2010 and $132 in 2009 Total other intangibles assets, net Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill), Total Deferred income taxes Deferred Tax Assets, Net, Noncurrent, Total Other Assets, Noncurrent Other Assets, Noncurrent, Total Other noncurrent assets Total assets Total assets Liabilities and stockholders' equity Current liabilities Accounts Payable, Current Accounts Payable, Current, Total Accounts payable Accrued expenses Accrued Liabilities, Current, Total Accrued advertising and promotions Employee-related Liabilities, Current Employee-related Liabilities, Current, Total Employee compensation Notes payable Notes Payable, Current, Total Current maturities of long-term debt Less current maturities Long-term Debt, Current Maturities, Total Other current liabilities Other Liabilities, Current, Total Total current liabilities Current liabilities Total current liabilities Noncurrent liabilities Long-term debt Long-term Debt, Excluding Current Maturities, Total Total long-term debt, net of current maturities Pension benefits Postretirement benefits Other noncurrent liabilities Other Liabilities, Noncurrent, Total Total noncurrent liabilities Total noncurrent liabilities Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract] Stockholders' equity Common stock, $0 par value, 0 million shares authorized, 0 million and 0 million shares issued at December 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively, 0 million and 0 million shares outstanding at December 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively Common Stock, Value, Issued, Ending Balance Common Stock, Value, Issued, Beginning Balance Common Stock, Value, Issued, Total Common stock, $1 par value, 250 million shares authorized, 106 million and 105 million shares issued in 2010 and 2009, 76 million and 75 million shares outstanding in 2010 and 2009 Additional paid-in capital Additional Paid in Capital, Ending Balance Additional Paid in Capital, Beginning Balance Additional Paid in Capital, Total Retained earnings Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit), Ending Balance Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit), Beginning Balance Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit), Total Accumulated other comprehensive loss Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax, ending balance Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax, Beginning balance Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Total Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax Treasury stock, 30 million shares at June 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009 Treasury stock, 30 million shares in 2010 and 2009 Treasury Stock, Value, Ending Balance Treasury Stock, Value, Beginning Balance Aggregate purchase price of shares Total Whirlpool stockholders' equity Balances Balances Whirlpool stockholders' equity Total Whirlpool stockholders' equity Noncontrolling interests Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Ending Balance Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Beginning Balance Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest, Total Total stockholders' equity Balances, Balances, Total stockholders' equity Total liabilities and stockholders' equity Total liabilities and stockholders' equity Accounts receivable, allowance for uncollectible accounts Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable, Current, Ending Balance Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable, Current, Beginning Balance Accumulated depreciation Property, accumulated depreciation Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Property, Plant, and Equipment, Ending Balance Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Property, Plant, and Equipment, Beginning Balance Accumulated depreciation Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Property, Plant, and Equipment, Total Property, accumulated depreciation Other intangibles, accumulated amortization Common stock, par value Common stock, shares authorized Common stock, shares issued Common Stock, Shares, Issued, Total Common stock, shares outstanding Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding, Ending Balance Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding, Beginning Balance Number of common shares outstanding, year-end Treasury stock, shares Treasury Stock, Shares, Ending Balance Treasury Stock, Shares, Beginning Balance CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS Operating activities Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to cash provided by operating activities: Depreciation and amortization Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Nonproduction, Total Curtailment gain Curtailment gain/ loss Curtailment loss/(gain) Recognized Curtailment loss/(gain) Loss (gain) on disposition of assets Loss (gain) on disposition of assets The net change in the amount which reflects the difference between (a) inventory at the lower of LIFO cost or market and (b) inventory at the lower of FIFO or market. Decrease In Inventory L I F O Reserve Increase (decrease) in LIFO inventory reserve Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Intangible Assets Gain on sale of brand Income (Loss) from Equity Method Investments, Net of Dividends or Distributions Equity in losses of affiliated companies, less dividends received Equity in losses of affiliated companies, less dividends received Income (Loss) from Equity Method Investments, Net of Dividends or Distributions, Total Changes in assets and liabilities: Accounts receivable Accounts receivable Increase (Decrease) in Inventories Inventories Increase (Decrease) in Inventories, Total Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Payable Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Payable, Total Accounts payable Taxes deferred and payable, net Accrued pension Increase (Decrease) in Employee Related Liabilities Increase (Decrease) in Employee Related Liabilities, Total Employee compensation Increase (Decrease) in Other Operating Assets and Liabilities, Net Other Cash provided by (used in) operating activities Cash provided by operating activities Investing activities Capital expenditures Capital expenditures Capital expenditures Payments to Acquire Property, Plant, and Equipment, Total Net capital expenditures Investment in related businesses Investment in related businesses Payments to Acquire Interest in Subsidiaries and Affiliates, Total Proceeds from sale of assets Proceeds from Sale of Productive Assets, Total Proceeds from Sale of Intangible Assets Proceeds from sale of brand Acquisition of brand Acquisition of brand Payments to Acquire Businesses, Net of Cash Acquired, Total Cash used in investing activities Cash used in investing activities Financing activities Repayments of Long-term Debt Repayments of long-term debt Repayments of Long-term Debt, Total Dividends paid Dividends paid Payments of Dividends, Total Common stock issued Net repayments of short-term borrowings Proceeds from (Repayments of) Short-term Debt, Total Net (repayments) proceeds from short-term borrowings Payments to Acquire Additional Interest in Subsidiaries Purchase of noncontrolling interest shares Payment to acquire additional interest in Brasmotor S.A. Purchase of noncontrolling interest shares Proceeds from borrowings of long-term debt Proceeds from Issuance of Long-term Debt, Total Aggregate purchase price of common stock shares Purchase of treasury stock Purchase of treasury stock Stock repurchased Other Cash (used in) provided by financing activities Cash (used in) provided by financing activities Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and equivalents Effect of Exchange Rate on Cash and Cash Equivalents, Total (Decrease) increase in cash and equivalents (Decrease) increase in cash and equivalents Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information Interest Paid Cash paid for interest Cash paid for interest Cash paid for interest Income Taxes Paid Cash paid for taxes Cash paid for taxes Cash paid for taxes Cash paid for income taxes CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY Statement, Equity Components [Axis] Equity Component [Domain] Retained Earnings [Member] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member] Treasury Stock/Additional Paid-in-Capital [Member] Treasury Stock/Additional Paid-in-Capital [Member] Common Stock [Member] Non-Controlling Interests [Member] Comprehensive income (loss) Other comprehensive income (loss) Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Total Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent Comprehensive income (loss) Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent, Total Purchase of noncontrolling interest Stock issued Dividends, Common Stock, Cash Dividends declared Dividends declared SUMMARY OF PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES [Abstract] SUMMARY OF PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block] SUMMARY OF PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLES [Abstract]. GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLES Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Text Block] GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLES FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS [Text Block] FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS INVENTORIES Inventory Disclosure [Text Block] INVENTORIES FINANCING ARRANGEMENTS [Abstract]. FINANCING ARRANGEMENTS FINANCING ARRANGEMENTS [Text Block] FINANCING ARRANGEMENTS COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES [Abstract]. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES [Text Block] COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES HEDGES AND DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS HEDGES AND DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS [Text Block] HEDGES AND DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY Stockholders' Equity Note Disclosure [Text Block] STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY STOCK OPTION AND INCENTIVE PLANS Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Text Block] STOCK OPTION AND INCENTIVE PLANS RESTRUCTURING COSTS RESTRUCTURING CHARGES [Text Block] RESTRUCTURING CHARGES INCOME TAXES INCOME TAXES [Text Block] INCOME TAXES PENSION AND POSTRETIREMENT MEDICAL BENEFITS PLANS PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFIT PLANS PENSION AND POSTRETIREMENT MEDICAL BENEFITS PLANS OPERATING SEGMENT INFORMATION [Abstract]. OPERATING SEGMENT INFORMATION OPERATING SEGMENT INFORMATION [Text Block] OPERATING SEGMENT INFORMATION QUARTERLY RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED) Quarterly Financial Information [Text Block] QUARTERLY RESULTS OF OPERATIONS VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS [Abstract]. VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS Valuation and Qualifying Accounts Disclosure [Text Block] VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS General Information Use of Estimates, Policy. Use of Estimates, Policy [Text Block] Use of Estimates Revenue Recognition, Policy [Text Block] Revenue Recognition Accounts Receivable And Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Policy. Accounts Receivable And Allowance for Doubtful Accounts, Policy [Text Block] Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Shipping and Handling Cost, Policy [Text Block] Freight and Warehousing Costs Cash and Cash Equivalents, Policy [Text Block] Cash and Equivalents Inventory, Policy [Text Block] Inventories Property, Plant and Equipment, Policy [Text Block] Property Goodwill and Intangible Assets, Policy [Text Block] Goodwill and Other Intangibles Accounts Payable Outsourcing Policy. Accounts Payable Outsourcing, Policy [Text Block] Accounts Payable Outsourcing Derivatives, Policy [Text Block] Derivative Financial Instruments Foreign Currency Transactions and Translations Policy [Text Block] Foreign Currency Translation Research, Development, and Computer Software, Policy [Text Block] Research and Development Costs Advertising Costs, Policy [Text Block] Advertising Costs Income Tax, Policy [Text Block] Income Taxes Stock Based Compensation Policy. Stock Based Compensation, Policy [Text Block] Stock Based Compensation Befiex Credits Policy BEFIEX Credits, Policy [Text Block] BEFIEX Credits Issued but Not Yet Effective Accounting Pronouncements