Accounts Receivable, Net, Current
Accounts receivable (net of allowance of $51.6 at September 30, 2009 and $43.8 at December 31, 2008)
Accounts receivable, net
Total
Accumulated amortization
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
Total
Accumulated depreciation
Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Property, Plant, and Equipment
Payments to Acquire Businesses and Interest in Affiliates
Businesses acquired and investments in affiliates, net of cash acquired
Additional Paid in Capital, Common Stock
Additional paid-in capital
Payments to Acquire Productive Assets
Capital Expenditures (Including Capitalized Software)
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable, Current
Accounts receivable, allowance (in dollars)
Earnings Per Share, Basic
Basic (in dollars per share)
Buildings and Improvements, Gross
Buildings and improvements
Business Acquisition [Axis]
Business Acquisition, Acquiree [Domain]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business acquisitions
ACQUISITIONS AND DISPOSITIONS
Schedule of Business Acquisitions, by Acquisition [Table]
Capital Lease Obligations [Member]
Capital lease obligations
Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value
Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
Interest Paid
Interest paid
Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Receivable
Accounts receivable
Increase (Decrease) in Inventories
Inventories
Proceeds from (Repayments of) Short-term Debt
Net issuances (repayments) of commercial paper and notes payable
Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Payable
Accounts payable
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block]
Commitments and Contingencies
Common Stock, Shares Authorized
Common stock, shares authorized
Authorized common Stock (in shares)
Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding
Common stock, shares outstanding
Shares, end of year
Shares, beginning of year
Common Stock, Value, Issued
Common stock
Comprehensive income attributable to Ecolab
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent
Comprehensive Income (Loss) Note [Text Block]
Comprehensive Income
Construction in progress
Construction in Progress, Gross
Corporate Debt Securities [Member]
Corporate bonds
Cost of Goods and Services Sold
Cost of sales (including special charges of $76.0 in 2012 and $0.8 in 2011)
Cost of sales
Cost of sales related to recognition of fair value step-up in Nalco inventory
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment, Net of Tax
Cumulative translation, net of tax
Current Foreign Tax Expense (Benefit)
International
Current Income Tax Expense (Benefit)
Total current
Liabilities, Current
Total current liabilities
Customer Lists [Member]
Customer lists
Customer Relationships [Member]
Customer relationships
Debt, Current
Short-term debt
Total
Short-term debt including current maturities of long-term debt
Debt Instrument, Face Amount
Long-term debt, aggregate principal amount
Aggregate principal amount
Debt Instrument [Axis]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument
Components of the company's debt obligations, along with applicable interest rate
Debt Securities [Member]
Total fixed income
Deferred Foreign Income Tax Expense (Benefit)
International
Deferred Income Tax Expense (Benefit)
Deferred income taxes
Total deferred
Deferred Tax Assets, Net, Current
Deferred income taxes
Deferred Tax Assets (Liabilities), Net
Net deferred tax assets (liabilities)
Deferred Tax Assets, Net
Total deferred tax assets
Deferred Tax Assets, Other
Other, net
Deferred Tax Assets, Tax Deferred Expense, Compensation and Benefits, Share-based Compensation Cost
Share-based compensation
Deferred Tax Assets, Tax Deferred Expense, Reserves and Accruals, Accrued Liabilities
Other accrued liabilities
Deferred Tax Assets, Valuation Allowance
Valuation allowance
Deferred Tax Liabilities
Total deferred tax liabilities
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Other
Other, net
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Undistributed Foreign Earnings
Unremitted foreign earnings
Deferred income taxes
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Noncurrent
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans [Domain]
Derivative, Name [Domain]
Derivative, by Nature [Axis]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative [Table]
Earnings Per Share, Diluted
Diluted (in dollars per share)
Discontinued Operation, Gain (Loss) on Disposal of Discontinued Operation, Net of Tax
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes, Domestic
United States
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes, Foreign
International
Effect of Exchange Rate on Cash and Cash Equivalents
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
Effective Income Tax Rate, Continuing Operations
Effective income tax rate (as a percent)
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Deductions, Qualified Production Activities
Domestic manufacturing deduction (as a percent)
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, at Federal Statutory Income Tax Rate
Statutory U.S. rate (as a percent)
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Foreign Income Tax Rate Differential
Foreign operations (as a percent)
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Other Adjustments
Other, net (as a percent)
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, State and Local Income Taxes
State income taxes, net of federal benefit (as a percent)
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense
Total compensation expense related to all share-based compensation plans
Share-based Compensation
Share-based compensation expense
Inventories at FIFO cost
FIFO Inventory Amount
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Other intangible assets
Total amortization expense related to other intangible assets
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense
Weighted-average useful life of other amortizable assets (in years)
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Weighted-Average Useful Life
Foreign Pension Plans, Defined Benefit [Member]
International Pension Benefits
INTERNATIONAL PENSION
2016
Future Amortization Expense, Year Five
2015
2015
Future Amortization Expense, Year Four
2014
2014
Future Amortization Expense, Year Three
2013
2013
Future Amortization Expense, Year Two
2012
Gain (Loss) on Sale of Property Plant Equipment
Gain on sale of plant
Gain on sale of plant
Gain on sale of businesses
Disposal Group, Not Discontinued Operation, Gain (Loss) on Disposal
Gain on sale of investment
Goodwill [Line Items]
Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for each of the company's reportable segments
INCOME TAXES
Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block]
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Income Tax Penalties and Interest Accrued
Income tax penalties and interest accrued
Increase (Decrease) in Other Operating Assets
Other assets
Restructuring Costs
Restructuring, net of cash paid
Incremental Common Shares Attributable to Share-based Payment Arrangements
Effect of dilutive stock options, units and awards (in shares)
Capitalized software
Finite-Lived Computer Software, Gross
Finite-Lived Customer Relationships, Gross
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross
Other intangible assets, gross
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net
Other intangible assets, net
Total
Other Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross
Goodwill
Goodwill
Beginning goodwill, net
Ending goodwill, net
Interest expense
Interest Expense
Interest Rate Swap [Member]
Interest rate swap
Finished goods
Inventory, Finished Goods
Excess of FIFO cost over LIFO cost
Inventory, LIFO Reserve
Inventory, Net
Inventories
Total
Raw materials and parts
Inventory, Raw Materials
Land
Land
Operating Leases, Rent Expense
Operating leases, rental expense
Leasehold improvements
Leasehold Improvements, Gross
Liabilities and Equity
Total liabilities and equity
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity
Multi-currency credit agreement maximum borrowing capacity
Maximum borrowing capacity under the credit agreement
Line of Credit [Member]
Multi-year credit facility, expires September 2016
Long-term Debt, Current Maturities
Long-term debt, current maturities
Long-term debt, current maturities
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Next Twelve Months
2011
2012
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Year Five
2015
2016
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Year Four
2014
2015
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Year Three
2013
2014
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Year Two
2012
2013
Long-term Debt, Excluding Current Maturities
Long-term debt
Total long-term debt
Total debt
Long-term Debt
Loss Contingencies by Nature of Contingency [Axis]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Loss contingencies
Loss Contingencies [Table]
Loss Contingency, Claims Settled and Dismissed, Number
Claims settled and dismissed
Loss Contingency, Nature [Domain]
Significant Change in Unrecognized Tax Benefits is Reasonably Possible, Amount of Unrecorded Benefit
Decrease in company's gross liability for unrecognized tax benefits that could result from tax settlements during the next twelve months
Maximum Length of Time Hedged in Cash Flow Hedge
Maximum period for hedged transactions (in months)
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest
Noncontrolling interest
Reclassification from other liabilities to noncontrolling interest
Noncontrolling Interest, Decrease from Distributions to Noncontrolling Interest Holders
Distributions to noncontrolling interests
Related Party Transactions, by Related Party [Axis]
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent
Net income attributable to Ecolab
Net income
Net income attributable to Ecolab
Other items
Other Nonrecurring Expense
Other Nonrecurring (Income) Expense
Special (gains) and charges
Subtotal
Special (gains) and charges
Special (gains) and charges related to merger and integration charges, closing costs and advisory fees
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due
Total
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due, Current
2012
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due in Five Years
2016
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due in Four Years
2015
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due in Three Years
2014
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due in Two Years
2013
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due Thereafter
Thereafter
Operating Income (Loss)
Operating income
Operating Income
Operating Income (Loss)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Adjustment, Net of Tax
Amortization of net actuarial loss and prior service cost included in net periodic pension cost
Other comprehensive loss (income)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Net Unamortized Gain (Loss) Arising During Period, before Tax
Current period net actuarial loss (gain)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Derivatives Qualifying as Hedges, Net of Tax
Derivative instruments
Total derivatives & hedging instruments
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Transaction and Translation Adjustment, Net of Tax
Total foreign currency translation adjustments
Total
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax
Other Assets, Current
Other current assets
Other
Other Sundry Liabilities, Current
Proceeds from (Payments for) Other Financing Activities
Other, net
Patents [Member]
Patents
Payments of Dividends, Common Stock
Cash dividends on common stock
Combined settlement amount for the class-action lawsuits settled
Payments for Legal Settlements
Pension Contributions
Contributions to plan
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Expense
Pension and postretirement plan expense
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Disclosure [Text Block]
Pension and Postretirement Plans
Defined Benefit Plan, Accumulated Benefit Obligation
Accumulated Benefit Obligation, end of year
Defined Benefit Plan, Actual Return on Plan Assets
Actual returns on plan assets
Actuarial loss (gain)
Defined Benefit Plan, Actuarial Net (Gains) Losses
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments in Five Fiscal Years Thereafter
2017-2021
Defined Benefit Plan, Amortization of Gains (Losses)
Recognition of net actuarial loss
Defined Benefit Plan, Amortization of Net Gains (Losses)
Net actuarial loss
Amortization of prior service cost (benefit)
Defined Benefit Plan, Amortization of Prior Service Cost (Credit)
Defined Benefit Plan, Amortization of Net Prior Service Cost (Credit)
Net prior service costs/(benefits)
Defined Benefit Plan, Amounts Recognized in Balance Sheet
Net liability
Defined Benefit Plan, Benefits Paid
Benefits paid
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Benefit Obligation [Roll Forward]
Projected Benefit Obligation
Defined Benefit Plan, Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets [Roll Forward]
Plan Assets
Defined Benefit Plan, Contributions by Employer
Company contributions
Defined Benefit Plan, Contributions by Plan Participants
Participant contributions
Pension and Other Postretirement Defined Benefit Plans, Current Liabilities
Other current liabilities
Defined Benefit Plan, Assumptions Used Calculating Benefit Obligation, Discount Rate
Discount rate (as a percent)
Defined Benefit Plan, Effect of One Percentage Point Decrease on Accumulated Postretirement Benefit Obligation
Effect on postretirement benefit obligation, decrease
Defined Benefit Plan, Effect of One Percentage Point Decrease on Service and Interest Cost Components
Effect on total of service and interest cost components, decrease
Defined Benefit Plan, Effect of One Percentage Point Increase on Accumulated Postretirement Benefit Obligation
Effect on postretirement benefit obligation, increase
Defined Benefit Plan, Effect of One Percentage Point Increase on Service and Interest Cost Components
Effect on total of service and interest cost components, increase
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments in Year One
2012
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments in Year Two
2013
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments in Year Three
2014
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments in Year Four
2015
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Future Benefit Payments in Year Five
2016
Expected return on plan assets
Defined Benefit Plan, Expected Return on Plan Assets
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets
Fair value of plan assets, beginning of year
Fair value of plan assets, end of year
Fair Value
Defined Benefit Plan, Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Changes, Benefit Obligation
Foreign currency translation
Defined Benefit Plan, Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Changes, Plan Assets
Foreign currency translation
Defined Benefit Plan, Funded Status of Plan
Funded Status, end of year
Interest cost on benefit obligation
Defined Benefit Plan, Interest Cost
Interest
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net Gains (Losses), before Tax
Unrecognized net actuarial loss
Total expense
Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Amendments
Plan amendments
Defined Benefit Plan, Assumptions Used Calculating Benefit Obligation, Rate of Compensation Increase
Projected salary increase (as a percent)
Defined Benefit Plan, Recognized Net Gain (Loss) Due to Curtailments
Settlements/Curtailments
Defined Benefit Plan, Service Cost
Service cost
Service cost- employee benefits earned during the year
Defined Benefit Plan, Settlements, Plan Assets
Settlements
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Disclosures [Axis]
Defined Benefit Plan, Benefit Obligation
Projected benefit obligation, beginning of year
Projected benefit obligation, end of year
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure
Savings Plan, ESOP and Profit Sharing
Schedule of Defined Benefit Plans Disclosures [Table]
Preferred Stock, Shares Authorized
Preferred stock, shares authorized
Prescription Drug Subsidy Receipts, Five Fiscal Years Thereafter
2017-2021
Defined Benefit Plan, Gross Prescription Drug Subsidy Receipts Received
Medicare subsidies received
Prescription Drug Subsidy Receipts, Year One
2012
Prescription Drug Subsidy Receipts, Year Two
2013
Prescription Drug Subsidy Receipts, Year Three
2014
Prescription Drug Subsidy Receipts, Year Four
2015
Prescription Drug Subsidy Receipts, Year Five
2016
Proceeds from Divestiture of Businesses, Net of Cash Divested
Sale of businesses
Proceeds from Issuance of Long-term Debt
Long-term debt borrowings
Proceeds from Stock Options Exercised
Exercise of employee stock options
Property, plant and equipment, gross
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net
Property, plant and equipment, net
Total
Property, Plant & Equipment, net
Payments to Acquire Property, Plant, and Equipment
Capital expenditures
Reconciliation of Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Excluding Amounts Pertaining to Examined Tax Returns [Roll Forward]
Reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of gross unrecognized tax benefits
Related Party [Domain]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Related party transaction
RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
Related Party Transactions Disclosure [Text Block]
Schedule of Related Party Transactions, by Related Party [Table]
Repayments of Long-term Debt
Long-term debt repayments
Repayment of debt
Payments for Repurchase of Common Stock
Reacquired shares
Restructuring Charges
Restructuring charges
Restructuring Reserve, Period Increase (Decrease)
Restructuring reserve, period increase (decrease)
Restructuring Reserve, Settled with Cash
Cash payments
Restructuring Reserve, Settled without Cash
Non-cash charges
Restructuring Reserve, Translation Adjustment
Currency translation
Restructuring
Restructuring liability, beginning balance
Restructuring liability, ending balance
Restructuring Reserve, Current
Restructuring liability
Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit)
Retained earnings
Revenue, Net
Net sales (including special charges of $29.6 in 2011)
Net sales
Schedule of Business Acquisitions, by Acquisition [Table Text Block]
Significant business acquisitions
Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill
Schedule of Goodwill [Table Text Block]
Schedule of Unusual or Infrequent Items [Table Text Block]
Special (gains) and charges
Segment Reporting Disclosure [Text Block]
Operating Segments
Schedule of net sales and operating income (loss) by reportable segment
Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment [Table Text Block]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Financial information of reportable segments
Financial information of operating segments
Total service revenue within the company's operating segments
Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment [Table]
Selling, General and Administrative Expense
Selling, general and administrative expenses
Senior Notes [Member]
Senior notes
Series of Individually Immaterial Business Acquisitions [Member]
Business Acquisitions and Investment
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Forfeited in Period
Stock awards cancelled (in shares)
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Forfeited in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
Weighted-average fair value at grant-date of stock awards cancelled (in dollars per share)
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period
Stock awards granted (in shares)
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
Weighted-average fair value at grant-date of stock awards granted (in dollars per share)
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
Weighted-average fair value at grant-date of stock awards outstanding, at the beginning of period (in dollars per share)
Weighted-average fair value at grant-date of stock awards outstanding, at the end of period (in dollars per share)
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Vested in Period
Stock awards vested/ earned (in shares)
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Vested in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
Weighted-average fair value at grant-date of stock awards vested/earned (in dollars per share)
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period
Stock option vesting period (in years)
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Domain]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Domain]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, by Exercise Price Range [Axis]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Upper Range Limit
Stock options, range of exercise prices, high end (in dollars per share)
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Line Items]
Stock options outstanding and stock options exercisable
Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, by Exercise Price Range [Table]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Shares Authorized
Shares approved for issuance under the plan (in shares)
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Shares Available for Grant
Common shares available for grant (in shares)
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period, Total Intrinsic Value
Total intrinsic value of options exercised during period
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period, Weighted Average Exercise Price
Exercised (in dollars per share)
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Net of Forfeitures
Granted (in shares)
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Exercise Price
Granted (in dollars per share)
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
Weighted average grant date fair value of options granted at market prices (in dollars per share)
Weighted-average fair value at grant-date of stock options granted (in dollars per share)
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Intrinsic Value
Total aggregate intrinsic value of in-the-money options outstanding
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Number
Outstanding, beginning of year (in shares)
Outstanding, end of year (in shares)
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price
Outstanding, beginning of year (in dollars per share)
Outstanding, end of year (in dollars per share)
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercisable, Number
Exercisable, end of year (in shares)
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercisable, Weighted Average Exercise Price
Exercisable, end of year (in dollars per share)
Weighted average exercise price of stock options exercisable (in dollars per share)
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Expected Dividend Rate
Expected dividend yield (as a percent)
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Expected Term
Expected life (in years)
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Expected Volatility Rate
Expected volatility (as a percent)
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Fair Value Assumptions, Risk Free Interest Rate
Risk-free rate of return (as a percent)
Schedule of Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Type and Plan Name [Axis]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Non-vested PBRSU awards and restricted stock activity
Stock incentive and option plans
Significant assumptions
Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, by Exercise Price Range [Table Text Block]
Information related to stock options outstanding and stock options exercisable
Schedule of Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award [Table]
Short-term Debt, Weighted Average Interest Rate
Average interest rate (as a percent)
SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block]
Stockholders' Equity Note Disclosure [Text Block]
Shareholders' Equity
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Text Block]
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
Summary of Income Tax Contingencies [Table Text Block]
Reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of gross liability for unrecognized tax benefits
Excess Tax Benefit from Share-based Compensation, Financing Activities
Excess tax benefits from share-based payment arrangements
Income Taxes Paid
Income taxes paid
Assets, Current
Total current assets
Trademarks [Member]
Trademarks
TREASURY STOCK
Treasury Stock [Member]
US Treasury and Government [Member]
Government bonds
United States Pension Plans of US Entity, Defined Benefit [Member]
U.S. PENSION
United States Postretirement Benefit Plans of US Entity, Defined Benefit [Member]
U.S. POSTRETIREMENT HEALTH CARE
Unrecognized Tax Benefits
Balance at beginning of year
Balance at end of year
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Reductions Resulting from Lapse of Applicable Statute of Limitations
Reductions for tax positions due to statute of limitations
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Decreases Resulting from Prior Period Tax Positions
Reductions for tax positions of prior years
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Decreases Resulting from Settlements with Taxing Authorities
Settlements
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Increases Resulting from Current Period Tax Positions
Additions based on tax positions related to the current year
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Increases Resulting from Prior Period Tax Positions
Additions for tax positions of prior years
Unrecognized Tax Benefits that Would Impact Effective Tax Rate
Unrecognized tax benefits that would affect the annual effective tax rate
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted
Diluted (in shares)
Diluted (in shares)
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Basic
Basic (in shares)
Beneficial Owner [Member]
Henkel AG and Co. KGaA
COMMON STOCK
Common Stock [Member]
Common stock
Research and Development Expense
Research expenditures related to the development of new products and processes, including significant improvements and refinements to existing products
Assets
Total assets
Total Assets
Accounts receivable
Accounts Receivable, Gross
Allowance for doubtful accounts
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable
Allowance for doubtful accounts, beginning balance
Allowance for doubtful accounts, ending balance
Finite-Lived Trademarks, Gross
Interest income
Investment Income, Interest
Interest income
Other Liabilities, Current
Other current liabilities
Total
Other Liabilities, Noncurrent
Other liabilities
Total
Other
Common Stock, Dividends, Per Share, Declared
Dividends declared per common share (in dollars per share)
Dividend declared, per share of common stock (in dollars per share)
Type of Restructuring [Domain]
Facility Closing [Member]
ASSET DISPOSALS
Employee Severance [Member]
EMPLOYEE TERMINATION COSTS
Restructuring Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring Reserve:
Deferred Tax Assets, Net, Noncurrent
Deferred income taxes
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Text Block]
EQUITY COMPENSATION PLANS
Fair Value, by Balance Sheet Grouping [Table]
Fair Value, by Balance Sheet Grouping, Disclosure Item Amounts [Axis]
Fair Value, Disclosure Item Amounts [Domain]
Carrying (Reported) Amount, Fair Value Disclosure [Member]
CARRYING AMOUNT
Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member]
FAIR VALUE
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Carrying amount and fair value of financial instruments
Scenario, Unspecified [Domain]
Statement [Table]
Statement, Scenario [Axis]
Machinery and equipment
Machinery and Equipment, Gross
Notes payable
Notes Payable, Fair Value Disclosure
Foreign exchange contracts
Foreign Currency Contracts, Liability, Fair Value Disclosure
Liability Derivatives, Total
Foreign currency forward contracts
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Restructuring reserve
Statement
Statement [Line Items]
Defined Benefit Plan, Assumptions Used Calculating Net Periodic Benefit Cost, Discount Rate
Discount rate (as a percent)
Defined Benefit Plan, Assumptions Used Calculating Net Periodic Benefit Cost, Expected Long-term Return on Assets
Expected return on plan assets (as a percent)
Defined Benefit Plan, Assumptions Used Calculating Net Periodic Benefit Cost, Rate of Compensation Increase
Projected salary increase (as a percent)
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Level 1
LEVEL 1
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Level 2
LEVEL 2
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Level 3
LEVEL 3
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Amounts that Will be Amortized from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) in Next Fiscal Year
Total
Carrying amount and estimated fair value of long-term debt
Fair Value, by Balance Sheet Grouping [Table Text Block]
Defined Benefit Plan, Pension Plans with Accumulated Benefit Obligations in Excess of Plan Assets, Aggregate Accumulated Benefit Obligation
Accumulated benefit obligation
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax
Unrecognized pension and postretirement benefit expense, net of tax
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Net of Tax
Cash and Cash Equivalents [Member]
Cash
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Stockholders' Equity, Period Increase (Decrease)
Excess Tax Benefit from Share-based Compensation, Operating Activities
Excess tax benefits from share-based payment arrangements
Other Assets, Noncurrent
Other assets
Total
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill
Goodwill, Period Increase (Decrease)
Goodwill, Period Increase (Decrease)
Defined Benefit Plan, Pension Plans with Accumulated Benefit Obligations in Excess of Plan Assets, Aggregate Fair Value of Plan Assets
Fair value of plan assets
Defined Benefit Plan, Pension Plans with Accumulated Benefit Obligations in Excess of Plan Assets, Aggregate Projected Benefit Obligation
Aggregate projected benefit obligation
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Net Prior Service Cost (Credit) Arising During Period, before Tax
Current period prior service costs
Class of Stock [Domain]
Treasury Stock, Value
Treasury stock
Unrealized gain (loss) on derivative financial instruments, net of tax
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Cumulative Changes in Net Gain (Loss) from Cash Flow Hedges, Effect Net of Tax
Business acquisitions
Goodwill, Acquired During Period
Current year business acquisitions
Business disposals
Goodwill, Written off Related to Sale of Business Unit
Foreign currency translation
Goodwill, Translation and Purchase Accounting Adjustments
Increase (Decrease) in Other Operating Liabilities
Other liabilities
Restructuring charges and subsequent activity
Schedule of Restructuring Reserve by Type of Cost [Table Text Block]
Restructuring Reserve, Period Expense
Recorded expense and accrual
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Equity Method Investments, Income Taxes, Extraordinary Items, Noncontrolling Interest
Income before income taxes
Common Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share
Common stock, par value per share (in dollars per share)
Par value of common stock (in dollars per share)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Tax
Tax expense (benefit)
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent
Total Ecolab shareholders' equity
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Property, Plant and Equipment
Property plant and equipment basis differences
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)
Provision for income taxes
Provision for income taxes
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Contributions
Pension and postretirement plan contributions
Noncontrolling Interest, Decrease from Redemptions or Purchase of Interests
Sale of noncontrolling interests
Defined Benefit Plan, Actual Plan Asset Allocations
PERCENTAGE OF PLAN ASSETS
Statement, Equity Components [Axis]
ADDITIONAL PAID-IN CAPITAL
Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]
RETAINED EARNINGS
Retained Earnings [Member]
ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]
Equity Component [Domain]
Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range, Lower Range Limit
Stock options, range of exercise prices, low end (in dollars per share)
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Forfeitures and Expirations in Period
Canceled (in shares)
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Forfeitures and Expirations in Period, Weighted Average Exercise Price
Canceled (in dollars per share)
Curtailments and settlements
Defined Benefit Plan, Recognized Net Gain (Loss) Due to Settlements and Curtailments
Related Party Transaction, Revenues from Transactions with Related Party
Sales to related party
Related Party Transaction, Expenses from Transactions with Related Party
Purchases from related party
Stock Issued During Period, Value, Share-based Compensation, Net of Forfeitures
Stock options and awards
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Restricted Stock Award, Net of Forfeitures
Stock awards, net issuances (in shares)
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period
Stock options (in shares)
Stock options exercised (in shares)
Exercised (in shares)
Comprehensive Income
Stockholders' Equity, Policy [Policy Text Block]
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Period Increase (Decrease)
Stock Repurchased During Period, Value
Reacquired shares
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
Comprehensive Income [Member]
Reacquired shares
Reacquired shares
Treasury Stock, Value, Acquired, Cost Method
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding [Roll Forward]
Summary of stock option activity and average exercise prices
Summary of non-vested stock option activity:
SHARES
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested [Roll Forward]
Summary of PBRSU awards and restricted stock activity:
Payments for Software
Capitalized software expenditures
Earnings Per Share [Text Block]
Earnings Attributable to Ecolab Per Common Share
Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest
Net income including noncontrolling interest
Net income including noncontrolling interest
Net income including noncontrolling interest
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest (including special charges of $4.5 million in 2012)
Reclassification from selling, general and administrative expenses to net income attributable to noncontrolling interest
Accrued Income Taxes, Current
Income taxes
Income taxes payable - noncurrent
Accrued Income Taxes, Noncurrent
Derivative liabilities
Derivative Instruments and Hedges, Liabilities
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization
Depreciation and amortization
Depreciation & Amortization
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest
Total comprehensive income
Total comprehensive income, including noncontrolling interest
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest
Less: Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest
Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest
Total equity
Balance
Balance
Hedging Relationship [Domain]
NON-CONTROLLING INTEREST
Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
TOTAL ECOLAB SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Parent [Member]
Dividends, Common Stock, Cash
Cash dividends declared
Accounts Payable, Current
Accounts payable
Dividends payable
Dividends Payable, Current
Employee-related Liabilities, Current
Compensation and benefits
Interest payable
Interest Payable, Current
Defined Benefit Plan by Plan Asset Categories [Axis]
Plan Asset Categories [Domain]
Real Estate [Member]
Real estate
Fair Value Plan Asset Measurement [Domain]
Defined Benefit Plan, Actual Return on Plan Assets [Abstract]
Actual return on plan assets
Defined Benefit Plan, Transfers Between Measurement Levels
Transfers in and/or out
Defined Benefit Plan, Assets for Plan Benefits, Noncurrent
Pension
Other assets
Pension and Other Postretirement Defined Benefit Plans, Liabilities, Noncurrent
Postretirement health care and pension benefits
Postretirement health care and pension benefits.
Defined Benefit Plan, Purchases, Sales, and Settlements
Purchases, sales and settlements, net
Private Equity Funds [Member]
PRIVATE EQUITY
Private equity
Hedge Funds [Member]
HEDGE FUNDS
Hedge funds
Derivatives, Fair Value, by Balance Sheet Location [Axis]
Balance Sheet Location [Domain]
Foreign Exchange Contract [Member]
Foreign currency forward contracts
Sales [Member]
Sales
Net sales
Cost of Sales [Member]
Cost of sales
Cash Flow Hedging [Member]
Cash Flow Hedges
Net Investment Hedging [Member]
Net Investment Hedge
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]
AOCI (equity)
Income Statement and Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Location [Domain]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Impact on AOCI and earnings from derivative contracts
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) by Hedging Relationship [Axis]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) by Income Statement Location [Axis]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) by Hedging Relationship, by Income Statement Location, by Derivative Instrument Risk [Table]
Loss recognized in income (ineffective portion)
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income, Ineffective Portion and Amount Excluded from Effectiveness Testing, Net
Gain (loss) recognized in income (effective portion)
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income, Effective Portion, Net
Unrealized gain (loss) recognized into AOCI (effective portion)
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Effective Portion, Net
Transaction gains (losses), net of tax
Gain (loss) recognized in income
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income, Net
Derivative Contract Type [Domain]
Fair value of the company's outstanding derivatives
Schedule of Derivative Instruments in Statement of Financial Position, Fair Value [Table Text Block]
Fair Values Derivatives, Balance Sheet Location, by Derivative Contract Type [Table]
Liabilities, Current [Abstract]
Current liabilities
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME AND EQUITY
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Equity Method Investments, Income Taxes, Extraordinary Items, Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract]
Income before income taxes
Special Gains and Charges [Text Block]
The aggregate amount of other nonrecurring expenses, not previously categorized, that are infrequent in occurrence or unusual in nature.
Special (Gains) and Charges
Document and Entity Information
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Earnings attributable to Ecolab per common share
Assets [Abstract]
ASSETS
Assets, Current [Abstract]
Current assets
Liabilities and Equity [Abstract]
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income (Loss) to Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities [Abstract]
Adjustments to reconcile net income including noncontrolling interest to cash provided by operating activities:
Increase (Decrease) in Operating Capital [Abstract]
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effect of acquisitions:
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted [Abstract]
Weighted-average common shares outstanding
Interest Expense, Net
Interest expense, net (including special charges of $18.2 in 2012)
The cost of borrowed funds accounted for as interest that was charged against earnings during the period net of income derived from investments in debt securities and on cash and cash equivalents the earnings of which reflect the time value of money or transactions in which the payments are for the use or forbearance of money.
Subtotal
Interest expense, net related to debt breakage charges and fees to secure short-term credit facilities
Interest expense, net
Interest expense, net
Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost [Abstract]
Net periodic benefit costs
Interest Expense, Net [Text Block]
Interest
Disclosure of interest expense and interest income reported during the period.
Schedule of Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax [Text Block]
Comprehensive Income
This element may be used to capture the entire schedule disclosure of Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax.
Comprehensive Income.
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract]
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax
Balance Sheet Information
Selected Balance Sheet Information [Text Block]
Disclosures related to selected balance sheet information.
Merchandising and Customer Equipment, Gross
Merchandising and customer equipment
Carrying amount as of the balance sheet date of long-lived, depreciable assets for merchandising and customer equipment on loan to customers.
Inventory, Net [Abstract]
Inventories
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Property, plant and equipment, net
Other intangible assets, gross
Assets, Noncurrent [Abstract]
Other assets
Other Liabilities, Current [Abstract]
Other current liabilities:
Other Liabilities, Noncurrent [Abstract]
Other liabilities
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract]
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
Commercial Paper, Fair Value Disclosure
This element represents the portion of the balance sheet assertion valued at fair value by the entity whether such amount is presented as a separate caption or as a parenthetical disclosure. Additionally, this element may be used in connection with the fair value disclosures required in the footnote disclosures to the financial statements. The element may be used in both the balance sheet and disclosure in the same submission. This item represents commercial paper as of the balance sheet date.
Commercial paper
This element represents the costs associated with selling the firm's products and services, as well as all other general and administrative expenses during the reporting period.
Selling, general and administrative expenses
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses [Member]
This element represents costs related to goods produced and sold including costs related to selling a firm's product and services, as well as all other general and administrative expenses excluding interest expenses net during the reporting period.
Costs Excluding Interest expense, net
Cost of Sales and Operating Expenses [Member]
This element represents cost of borrowed funds accounted for as interest that was charged against earnings during the period, net of interest income.
Interest expense, net
Interest Expense, Net [Member]
This element represents operating and nonoperating expenses of the entity.
Costs Including Interest expense, net
Costs Including Nonoperating Expense [Member]
Financial Instruments, Financial Assets, Balance Sheet Groupings [Abstract]
Assets:
Financial Instruments, Financial Liabilities, Balance Sheet Groupings [Abstract]
Liabilities
Foreign Currency Cash Flow Hedges [Abstract]
Fair value of the company's outstanding derivatives
Loss Contingency
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Future Amortization Expense [Abstract]
Future estimated amortization expense related to amortizable other identifiable intangible assets
This element represents the business reporting segment that provides cleaning and sanitizing products within the United States.
U.S. Cleaning and Sanitizing
Cleaning and Sanitizing [Member]
This element represents the business reporting segment that provides other services within the United States.
U.S. Other Services
Other Services [Member]
This element represents the business reporting segment that provides products and services internationally.
Int'l Cleaning, Sanitizing & Other Services
International [Member]
International Cleaning & Sanitation
This reporting segment includes the impact of translation into U.S. dollars at the fixed currency rates used by management for the fiscal year.
Currency impact
Foreign Currency Translation Segment [Member]
Total special (gains) and charges
Special Gains and Charges
Special gains and charges includes items that are unusual in nature, significant in amount and important to an understanding of underlying business performance.
Special (gains) and charges
Percentage Number of Jobs Expected to Reduce Due to Restructuring
Percentage of reduction in the company's workforce
Represents the percentage number of position reductions included in the restructuring plan.
Restructuring Charges, Net of Tax
Restructuring charges, after tax
Amount charged against earnings in the period for incurred and estimated costs net of taxes.
Restructuring Charges Per Diluted Share
Restructuring charges, per diluted share (in dollars per share)
The decrease (increase) in diluted earnings per share resulting from restructuring activities.
Service Revenue
Service Revenue at Public Exchange Rate
The element represents information pertaining to service revenue at public exchange rates.
Business Acquisition, Purchase Price Allocation, Net Tangible Assets, Acquired Liabilities Assumed
Net tangible assets acquired (liabilities assumed)
This element represents the amount of acquisition cost of a business combination allocated to tangible assets net of liabilities assumed.
Business Acquisition, Purchase Price Allocation, Identifiable Intangible Assets [Abstract]
Identifiable intangible assets
Business Acquisition, Purchase Price Allocation, Amortizable Customer Relationships
Customer relationships
The amount of aggregate acquisition cost of all business combinations made during the period allocated to customer relationships.
Business Acquisition, Purchase Price Allocation, Amortizable Intellectual Property
Intellectual property
The amount of aggregate acquisition cost of all business combinations made during the period allocated to intellectual property.
Business Acquisition, Purchase Price Allocation, Amortizable Trademarks
Trademarks
The amount of aggregate acquisition cost of all business combinations made during the period allocated to trademarks.
Business Acquisition, Purchase Price Allocation, Amortizable Other Intangibles
Other technology
The amount of aggregate acquisition cost of all business combinations made during the period allocated to other intangible assets.
Represents the CORPAK Medsystem of the entity.
CORPAK Medsystems' Inc
CORPAK Medsystems Inc [Member]
Other Nonrecurring Income (Expense) by Income Statement Location [Axis]
This element represents concepts which are required to disclosure items concerning non-recurring income and expenses of the entity.
Other Nonrecurring Income Expense by Income Statement Location [Table]
A table or schedule providing information pertaining to non-recurring income and expenses of the entity.
Represents the non-recurring income expense member of the entity.
Special (gains) and charges
Other Nonrecurring Income Expense [Member]
Represents other restructuring activities of the entity.
OTHER
Other Restructuring [Member]
Other Restructuring Information [Abstract]
Other restructuring information
Restructuring Reserve, Expected to be Settled with Cash
Restructuring charges, expected cash expenditures
Represents the amount of restructuring reserves expected to be settled with cash.
Restructuring Charges [Abstract]
Other details
Business Acquisition, Purchase Price Allocation, Amortizable Intangible Assets Excluding Goodwill
Total
The amount of acquisition cost of a business combination allocated to identifiable intangible assets excluding goodwill.
Business Acquisition, Aggregate Purchase Price Allocation
The total cost of the entities acquired during the period, including the cash paid to shareholders of acquired entities, fair value of debt and equity securities issued to shareholders of acquired entities, the fair value of the liabilities assumed, and direct costs of the acquisition.
Total aggregate purchase price
Total aggregate purchase price
Number of interest rate swap contracts entered into and subsequently closed
The number of interest rate swap contracts entered into and subsequently closed in the same fiscal year.
Number of Interest Rate Swap Contracts Entered and Closed in Same Fiscal Year
Settled class-action lawsuit involving wage-hour claims.
New York class-action lawsuits
Settled Wage Hour Litigation [Member]
Amount expected to be charged against earnings in the remainder of the current fiscal year for the specified restructuring cost.
Expected restructuring charges for 2009
Restructuring and Related Cost, Expected Cost Remainder of Year
Special Charges Business Structure and Optimization
Amount charged against earnings in the period for costs incurred to optimize business structure.
Business structure and optimization
Taxes payable, other than income
Carrying value as of the balance sheet date of obligations incurred and payable for real, property taxes, and statutory sales and use tax (including value added tax). Used to reflect the current portion of the liabilities (due within one year or within the normal operating cycle if longer).
Taxes Payable Other than Income
Anti-dilutive securities excluded from the computation of earnings per share (in shares)
Stock options securities (including those issuable pursuant to contingent stock agreements) that could potentially dilute basic earnings per share (EPS) in the future that were not included in the computation of diluted EPS because to do so would increase EPS amounts or decrease loss per share amounts for the period presented.
Antidilutive Stock Options Securities Excluded from Computation of Diluted Earnings Per Share Amount
Unvested restricted stock awards excluded from the computation of basic shares (in shares)
This element represents unvested restricted stock excluded from the computation of basic shares.
Unvested Restricted Stock Excluded from Computation of Basic Shares
Special Gains and Charges, Gain (Loss) on Sale of Plant
The amount of the gain or (loss) on the sale of plant that was recorded in special gains and charges in the statement of operations.
Gain on sale of plant
Amount expected to be charged against earnings in the remainder of the current fiscal year for the specified restructuring cost, net of tax.
Restructuring and Related Cost, Expected Cost Remainder of Year Net of Tax
Expected restructuring charges for 2009, after tax
Represents the entity's intellectual property assets, including patents, non-compete agreements, employee contracts and other types of agreements.
Intellectual property
Intellectual Property [Member]
Represents segment of business that includes special gains and charges and investments in the development of business systems and other corporate investments.
Corporate
Corporate [Member]
Business Acquisition, Sales Revenue Forecast
Estimated annual sales pre-acquisition
Approximate amount of total annual revenue from sale of goods and services of acquired entity.
Foreign Currency Transaction Gain (Loss)
Venezuela currency devaluation
This element represents the foreign currency transaction gain or loss incurred during the reporting period.
Business Acquisition, Purchase Price Allocation, Amortizable Patents
Patents
This element represents the portion of the aggregate acquisition cost of all business combinations made during the period, which are allocated to patents.
Goodwill Accumulated Impairment Loss
Accumulated impairment loss
This element represents amount of accumulated impairment loss on goodwill, as of balance sheet date.
Beginning Accumulated impairment loss
Ending Accumulated impairment loss
Special (Gains) and Charges
Interest
Interest
Comprehensive Income
Earnings Attributable to Ecolab Per Common Share
Accounts Receivable, Net [Abstract]
Accounts receivable, net
This element represents the reporting group that includes the reportable segments, which record the transactions at fixed currency rates.
Subtotal at fixed currency rates
Reportable Segments under Fixed Currency Rates [Member]
Cost of sales, special charges
Cost of Sales Special Charges
The aggregate amount of other nonrecurring expenses that are infrequent in occurrence or unusual in nature, included in cost of sales.
Cost of sales, special charges
Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract]
Equity
Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Abstract]
SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION
Stock options and awards
This element represents the value stock issued during the period, as a result of the exercise of stock options, and value of stock related to restricted stock awards issued during the period, net of the stock value of such awards forfeited.
Stock Issued During Period, Value, Stock Options Exercised and Restricted Stock Award, Net of Forfeitures
RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS.
Balance Sheet Information
Defined Benefit Plan, Amounts Recognized in Balance Sheet [Abstract]
Amounts recognized in Consolidated Balance Sheet:
Defined Benefit Plan, Amounts Recognized in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax [Abstract]
Amounts recognized in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss:
Defined Benefit Plan, Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Taxes
This element represents the taxes that are related to defined benefit pension or other postretirement plan(s), which are included in accumulated other comprehensive income because they are yet to be recognized as components of the net periodic benefit cost.
Tax benefit
This element represents the class of preferred stock, which is designated as "Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock".
Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock
Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock [Member]
This element represents the class of preferred stock, which is not designated.
Undesignated preferred stock
Undesignated Preferred Stock [Member]
Shareholder Rights Plan Stock Purchase Right Issued
The number of preferred stock purchase rights issued for each outstanding common share of the entity's common stock.
Preferred stock purchase rights per common share
Shareholder Rights Plan Entitled Preferred Stock
This element represents the number or portion of preferred stock shares that each preferred stock purchase right entitles the holder to purchase upon occurrence of certain events.
Preferred stock shares per preferred stock purchase right (in shares)
Shareholder Rights Plan Purchase Price
This element represents the price per share at which each preferred stock purchase right entitles the holder to purchase preferred stock upon occurrence of certain events.
Exercise price of preferred stock purchase rights
Shareholder Rights Plan Outstanding Common Stock to be Held Minimum Percentage
This element represents the minimum percentage of outstanding common stock to be held by any person or group, at which the preferred stock purchase rights become exercisable.
Threshold ownership of outstanding common stock by a person or group to trigger preferred stock purchase rights (in percent)
Shareholder Rights Plan Percentage of Common Stock Held by Adverse Person
This element represents the minimum percentage of outstanding common stock to be held by an adverse person as defined under the shareholder rights plan, at which the stock purchase rights become exercisable.
Threshold ownership of outstanding common stock by an adverse person to trigger preferred stock purchase rights (in percent)
Shareholder Rights Plan Right Redemption Rate
The price at which each preferred stock purchase right is redeemable under certain circumstances.
Preferred stock purchase rights, redemption price (in dollars per right)
Related Party Transaction Shares Repurchased
This element represents the number of shares of common stock repurchased from the related party.
Shares repurchased from Henkel (in shares)
Repurchase of shares from related party (in shares)
Deferred tax liabilities
Deferred Tax Liabilities [Abstract]
Effective Income Tax Rate, Continuing Operations, Tax Rate Reconciliation [Abstract]
Reconciliation of the statutory U.S. federal income tax rate to the company's effective income tax rate
Income Tax Expense (Benefit), Continuing Operations [Abstract]
The provision for income taxes consisted of:
Current Income Tax Expense (Benefit), Continuing Operations [Abstract]
Current income tax expense (benefit)
Current Federal and State Tax Expense (Benefit)
The component of income tax expense for the period representing the amounts paid or payable (or refundable), as determined by applying the provisions of enacted federal and state tax law to the domestic and relevant amounts of taxable income (loss) from continuing operations.
Federal and state
Deferred Income Tax Expense (Benefit), Continuing Operations [Abstract]
Deferred income tax expense (benefit)
Deferred Federal and State Income Tax Expense (Benefit)
The component of total income tax expense for the period comprising of net change during the period in the entity's deferred tax assets and liabilities attributable to continuing operations, as determined by applying the provisions of the federal and state tax law.
Federal and state
Deferred Tax Assets, Net [Abstract]
Deferred tax assets
Deferred Tax Assets, Tax Deferred Expense, Compensation and Benefits, Pension and Other Comprehensive Income
The tax effect, as of balance sheet date, of the amount of estimated future tax deductions arising from pension costs and other comprehensive income, which can only be deducted for tax purposes when actual costs are incurred and which can only be realized if sufficient tax-basis income is generated in future period to claim the deduction.
Pension and other comprehensive income
The aggregate target allocation percentage of the investments (categorized by debt securities, equity securities, real estate and other plan assets) presented on a weighted-average basis as of the measurement date of the latest statement of financial position.
TARGET ASSET ALLOCATION PERCENTAGE
Defined Benefit Plan, Target Allocation Percentage of Assets
Defined Benefit Plan, Weighted Average Assumptions Used in Calculating Benefit Obligation [Abstract]
Weighted-average actuarial assumptions used to determine benefit obligations as of year end:
Defined Benefit Plan, Weighted Average Assumptions Used in Calculating Net Periodic Benefit Cost [Abstract]
Weighted-average actuarial assumptions used to determine net cost:
Defined Benefit Plan, Effect of One-Percentage Point Change in Assumed Health Care Cost Trend Rates [Abstract]
Effect of a one-percentage point change in the assumed health care cost trend rate:
Defined Benefit Plan, Estimated Future Benefit Payments [Abstract]
Estimate of benefits expected to be paid for company's pension and postretirement health care benefit plans:
Defined Benefit Plan, Fair Value of Plan Assets Level Three Activity [Roll Forward]
Defined benefit plan fair value of plan assets level three activity
Disclosure of Expected Gross Prescription Drug Subsidy Receipts [Abstract]
MEDICAL SUBSIDY RECEIPTS
Unrecognized Tax Benefits Increases (Decreases) Resulting from Foreign Currency Translation
The gross change in unrecognized tax benefits resulting from foreign currency translation.
Foreign currency translation
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due [Abstract]
Future minimum payments under operating leases with noncancelable terms in excess of one year were:
Operating Lease Payment Due on Vehicles Current
Estimated payments due within one year of the balance sheet date for operating leases on vehicles whose noncancelable term is one year or less in duration with month-to-month renewal options.
Estimated payments under operating leases for vehicles in 2012
Other Comprehensive Income Defined Benefit Plans Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment Net of Tax
Foreign currency translation
This element represents the change in the value of either the benefit obligation or the plan assets resulting from foreign currency translation that has not been recognized in the net periodic benefit cost.
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Amounts that Will be Amortized from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) in Next Fiscal Year [Abstract]
Estimated amounts in accumulated other comprehensive loss expected to be reclassified to net period cost during 2012:
Defined Benefit Plan, Pension Plans with Accumulated Benefit Obligations in Excess of Plan Assets [Abstract]
Aggregate projected benefit obligation, accumulated benefit obligation and fair value of plan assets for pension plans with accumulated benefit obligations in excess of plan assets:
This category includes information about large cap equity securities that are based on market capitalization.
Large cap equity
Large Cap Equity Securities [Member]
This category includes information about small cap equity securities that are based on market capitalization.
Small cap equity