EXHIBIT 23.1 NATIONAL SERVICE INDUSTRIES, INC. CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statements on Form S-3 (No. 333-59627) and on Form S-8 (Nos. 33-35609, 33-36980, 333-48835, 33-51339, 33-51341, 33-51343, 33-51345, 33-51351, 33-51355, 33-51357, 33-60715, 333-73133, 333-73135, 333-35746, 333-57222, and 333-57256) of National Service Industries, Inc. of our report dated November 8, 2002 relating to the financial statements and financial statement schedule, which appears in this Form 10-K. PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP Atlanta, Georgia November 12, 2002 82