NaCl precleaning of microfiltration membranes fouled with oil-in-water emulsions: Impact on fouling dislodgment

•NaCl precleaning was used to help remove lipid fouling from PES membranes.•The optimal precleaning conditions were 5 mM NaCl, 50 °C and led to 80% HCE.•SEM-EDX, ATR-FTIR, AFM and electrokinetic analyses were performed.•Internal fouling and surface fouling were both impacted by NaCl precleaning.•NaCl precleaning followed by detergent cleaning led to 100% HCE.