FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

                         Michael J. Monahan  612-293-2809 (Tel)
                                             612-225-3123 (Fax)

                 ECOLAB INC. ANNOUNCES PRELIMINARY RESULTS
                            OF SELF-TENDER OFFER

          ST. PAUL, Minn., June 15, 1995:  Ecolab Inc. announced today
     that, based on a preliminary count and subject to final
     verification, it expects to purchase 3,549,834 shares of the
     Company's common stock at a price of $25.00 per share, including
     1,609,805 shares tendered pursuant to guaranteed delivery, in
     accordance with the terms of its "Dutch auction" self-tender
     offer.  The offer to purchase shares at prices specified by
     shareholders, ranging from $21.75 to $25.00, expired at midnight
     yesterday, June 14.  The Company is exercising its right under
     the terms of the offer to purchase more than 3 million shares.

          The Company accepted all shares tendered at or below the
     purchase price of $25.00, net to the seller, in cash;
     accordingly, there will be no proration.  The determination of
     the number of shares to be purchased and the purchase price are
     subject to final confirmation and the proper delivery of all
     shares tendered and not withdrawn, which is expected to be
     completed in approximately one week.  Payment for the shares
     properly tendered and accepted will be made as soon as
     practicable.  

          Following the purchase, the Company will have approximately
     64,382,060 shares of common stock outstanding.  As previously
     announced, the Company may purchase up to 2.45 million additional
     shares from time to time through open market and privately 
     negotiated transactions or otherwise, to complete the remaining
     portion of the 6 million share repurchase program authorized by
     its Board of Directors. 

          Ecolab is the leading global developer and marketer of
     premium cleaning, sanitizing and maintenance products and
     services for the hospitality, institutional and industrial
     markets.  For the year ended December 31, 1994, Ecolab reported
     sales of $1.2 billion; including European joint venture sales of
     $0.8 billion, Ecolab's global coverage approximated $2 billion. 
     Ecolab shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange and the
     Pacific Stock Exchange under the symbol ECL.

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