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

Total number of acquisitions during the period.

No definition available.

Name:	ecl_NumberOfAcquisitions
Namespace Prefix:	ecl_
Data Type:	xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef
-Topic 805
-SubTopic 20
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 50
-Paragraph 5
-Subparagraph (a)
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147479907/805-20-50-5

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

Purchase price of expected business acquisition prior to consideration being transferred. Excludes asset acquisition.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 15
-Paragraph 3
-SubTopic 10
-Topic 805
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147479455/805-10-15-3

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
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Period Type:	duration

Amount of increase (decrease) to assets, excluding financial assets and goodwill, lacking physical substance with a finite life for purchase accounting adjustments.

No definition available.

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

Amount of increase (decrease) from measurement period adjustment of asset representing future economic benefit arising from other asset acquired in business combination or from joint venture formation or both, that is not individually identified and separately recognized.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef
-Topic 350
-SubTopic 20
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (g)
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147482573/350-20-50-1

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Section 25
-Paragraph 16
-SubTopic 10
-Topic 805
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147479405/805-10-25-16

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

The cash outflow associated with the acquisition of a business, net of the cash acquired from the purchase.

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 13
-Subparagraph (b)
-Publisher FASB
-URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147482740/230-10-45-13

Name:	us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquireBusinessesNetOfCashAcquired
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

Name:	us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis=us-gaap_CustomerRelationshipsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsByMajorClassAxis=us-gaap_OtherIntangibleAssetsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Name:	us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis=ecl_OvivoSElectronicsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type: