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CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS








As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the incorporation of our
report  dated  June 8, 2000  included  in this Form 11-K into  National  Service
Industries,  Inc.'s previously filed  Registration  Statement  covering the AECO
Employees' 401(k) Retirement and Savings Plan.



/s/ Arthur Andersen



Atlanta, Georgia
June 22, 2000