EXHIBIT (32)

SECTION 1350 CERTIFICATIONS

Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, each of the undersigned officers of Ecolab Inc. does hereby certify that:

(a)the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Ecolab Inc. for the year ended December 31, 2009 (the “Report”) fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

(b)information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of Ecolab Inc.

Dated: February 26, 2010	/s/Douglas M. Baker, Jr.
	Douglas M. Baker, Jr.
	Chairman of the Board, President and
	Chief Executive Officer
Dated: February 26, 2010	/s/Steven L. Fritze
	Steven L. Fritze
	Chief Financial Officer