In this work, the fouling resistance of 0.1 mu m PVDF microfiltration membrane fouled with humic acid (HA) solution during NaCl cleaning process was systematically studied. Based on mass balance between foulant dissolution and foulant re-deposition on the membrane surface or in membrane pores, a new general expression of cascade kinetic models was established for the first time to predict the variation of instantaneous fouling resistance during NaCl cleaning. The results showed that M1+1 model was the optimal kinetic model to predict the instantaneous fouling resistance of 0.1 mu m PVDF membrane in NaCl cleaning process by comparing the experimental data with model predictions. Meanwhile, high flux recovery of 94.20% could be obtained at NaCl concentration of 100 mM with agitation speed of 600 rpm and temperature of 35 degrees C. In addition, the accuracy of M1+1 model was approved by a series of long-term experiments with several cleaning cycles, the other membrane and cleaning agent. (C) 2018 Institution of Chemical Engineers. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.