Compositions and Methods for Cleaning Membranes

A composition is disclosed for cleaning a membrane. The composition includes: (i) a non-ionic surfactant having the formula: R-O(CH2CH2O)nH, wherein R is a branched, substituted or unsubstituted, C11-15 alkyl group, wherein n is an average degree of ethoxylation, and wherein n is in the range of from 3 to 20; and (ii) at least one of an additional non-ionic surfactant, a water soluble solvent, or a hydrotrope. In one version of the composition, an upper limit of a range of molecular weights of the surfactant is 1300 grams or below. In another version of the composition, the composition has a gel point such that it will be in the liquid phase before and after dilution with any amount of water at all temperatures of 40° F. and above. A method of cleaning a membrane using the compositions is also disclosed.