Name:	ecl_BusinessCombinationIntegrationRelatedCostsNetOfTax
Namespace Prefix:	ecl_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

Amount of cash activity as the result of exit or disposal activities. May include cash proceeds, but excludes payments associated with a discontinued operation or an asset retirement obligation.

No definition available.

Name:	ecl_CashActivityForRestructuring
Namespace Prefix:	ecl_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- References

No definition available.

Name:	ecl_OtherRestructuringInformationAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	ecl_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Amount of fee charged for services from professionals, net of tax.

No definition available.

Name:	ecl_ProfessionalFeesAfterTax
Namespace Prefix:	ecl_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

Represents the after-tax restructuring charge, which the entity expects to incur over a period under the restructuring plan and other cost savings actions.

No definition available.

Name:	ecl_RestructuringAndRelatedActivitiesCostExpectedToBeIncurredNetOfTax
Namespace Prefix:	ecl_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

Represents the after-tax restructuring charge, which the entity expects to incur over a period under the restructuring plan, special charges and other cost savings actions.

No definition available.

Name:	ecl_RestructuringAndRelatedActivitiesSpecialChargesExpectedToBeIncurredNetOfTax
Namespace Prefix:	ecl_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

Amount of costs incurred to date for the specified restructuring cost, net of tax.

No definition available.

Name:	ecl_RestructuringAndRelatedCostCostIncurredToDateNetOfTax
Namespace Prefix:	ecl_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

Represents the after-tax restructuring charge charged against the accrued restructuring reserves or earnings, if not previously accrued, during the period for the specified type of restructuring cost.

No definition available.

Name:	ecl_RestructuringAndRelatedCostIncurredCostNetOfTax
Namespace Prefix:	ecl_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

Amount expected to be recognized in earnings for the specified special charges restructuring cost.

No definition available.

Name:	ecl_RestructuringAndRelatedSpecialChargesExpectedCost1
Namespace Prefix:	ecl_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

Amount of restructuring charges, including accrual adjustment.

No definition available.

Name:	ecl_RestructuringChargesIncludingAccrualAdjustment
Namespace Prefix:	ecl_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

Amount of reclassification represents an increase to the restructuring reserve.

No definition available.

Name:	ecl_RestructuringReserveReclassification
Namespace Prefix:	ecl_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

The amount of non-restructuring special charges incurred to date.

No definition available.

Name:	ecl_SpecialChargesToDate
Namespace Prefix:	ecl_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

The amount of non-restructuring special charges incurred to date.

No definition available.

Name:	ecl_SpecialChargesToDateAfterTax
Namespace Prefix:	ecl_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

Represents the amount of other charges in special gains and charges in the statement of operations.

No definition available.

Name:	ecl_SpecialGainsAndChargesOther
Namespace Prefix:	ecl_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

The amount of other charges, after tax, in special gains and charges in the statement of operations.

No definition available.

Name:	ecl_SpecialGainsAndChargesOtherAfterTax
Namespace Prefix:	ecl_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

This element represents acquisition-related costs incurred to effect a business combination which costs have been expensed during the period. Such costs include finder's fees; advisory, legal, accounting, valuation, and other professional or consulting fees; general administrative costs, including the costs of maintaining an internal acquisitions department; and may include costs of registering and issuing debt and equity securities.

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
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A fee charged for services from professionals such as doctors, lawyers and accountants. The term is often expanded to include other professions, for example, pharmacists charging to maintain a medicinal profile of a client or customer.

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
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Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

Amount of costs incurred to date for the specified restructuring cost.

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Name:	us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostCostIncurredToDate1
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

Amount expected to be recognized in earnings for the specified restructuring cost.

Name:	us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostExpectedCost1
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

Discloses the amount charged against the accrued restructuring reserves, or earnings if not previously accrued, during the period for the specified type of restructuring cost.

Name:	us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostIncurredCost
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

Carrying amount (including both current and noncurrent portions of the accrual) as of the balance sheet date pertaining to a specified type of cost associated with exit from or disposal of business activities or restructuring pursuant to a duly authorized plan.

Name:	us-gaap_RestructuringReserve
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

A roll forward is a reconciliation of a concept from the beginning of a period to the end of a period.

No definition available.

Name:	us-gaap_RestructuringReserveRollForward
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Name:	us-gaap_DisposalGroupClassificationAxis=us-gaap_DisposalGroupDisposedOfBySaleNotDiscontinuedOperationsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_IncomeStatementBalanceSheetAndAdditionalDisclosuresByDisposalGroupsIncludingDiscontinuedOperationsAxis=ecl_GlobalSurgicalSolutionsBusinessMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis=ecl_OtherNonrecurringIncomeExpenseMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis=ecl_SpecificLegalReserveAndRelatedLegalChargesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis=ecl_ImmaterialRestructuringPlanMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis=us-gaap_CostOfSalesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis=ecl_PriorYearPlansMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis=ecl_OneEcolabInitiativeProgramMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis=us-gaap_EmployeeSeveranceMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type: