<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>EX-23
<SEQUENCE>2
<FILENAME>a2052518zex-23.txt
<DESCRIPTION>EXHIBIT 23
<TEXT>

<PAGE>

                                                                      Exhibit 23

                         CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTS

       We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration
Statements on Form S-8 (Registration Nos. 2-90702, 33-18202, 33-55986, 33-56101
and 333-95043) of Ecolab Inc. of our report dated June 20, 2001 related to the
financial statements, which appears in this Form 11-K.

                                        /s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
                                        PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LLP
                                        --------------------------------------


Minneapolis, Minnesota
June 25, 2001



</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
