CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS



We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statements on
Form S-8 of Ecolab Inc. (Registration Nos. 2-60010; 2-74944; 33-1664; 33-41828;
2-90702; 33-18202; 33-55986; 33-56101; 33-26241; 33-34000; 33-56151; 333-18627;
33-39228; 33-56125; 333-70835; 33-60266; 33-65364; 33-59431; 333-18617;
333-21167; 333-35519; 333-40239; 333-50969; and 333-62183) and the Registration
Statement on Form S-3 of Ecolab Inc. (Registration No. 333-14771) of our report
dated January 23, 1998 relating to the combined balance sheets of 
Henkel-Ecolab Joint Venture as of November 30, 1997, and 1996, and the 
related combined statements of income, equity and cash flows for each of the 
periods beginning December 1, 1997 and 1996 and ended November 30, 1997 and 
1996, and related schedule, which report appears in the December 31, 1998, 
annual report on Form 10-K of Ecolab Inc. We also consent to the references 
to our firm under the caption "Interests of Named Experts and Counsel" or 
"Incorporation of Documents by Reference" in certain Registration Statements 
on Form S-8 of Ecolab Inc. (Registration Nos. 33-56101; 33-56151; 33-56125; 
33-59431; 333-18617; 333-18627; 333-21167; 333-35519; 333-40239; 333-50969; 
333-62183 and 333-70835) and under the caption "Experts" in the Registration 
Statement on Form S-3 of Ecolab Inc. (Registration No. 333-14771).

Dusseldorf, Germany

March 29, 1999

KPMG Deutsche Treuhand-Gesselschaft
Aktiengesellschaft
Wirtschaftsprufungsgesellschaft



/s/Stefan Haas                      /s/Bernhard Momken
- --------------------                ----------------------
Stefan Haas                         Bernhard Momken
Wirtschaftsprufer                   Wirtschaftsprufer