Rose Lorkowski, a dedicated mother and full-time house cleaner in her early thirties, is navigating the complexities of single parenthood. Her younger sister, Norah, a free spirit residing with their father Joe, has just lost yet another job, leaving her feeling lost and without direction. At the same time, Rose's vibrant but troubled 8-year-old son, Oscar, struggles in the confines of traditional schooling. His unique behavior catches the attention of school officials, who threaten to prescribe medication or suggest private schooling unless significant changes are made.
Amid this turmoil, Rose seeks help from Mac, her high school boyfriend, who is now married. Mac, a seasoned police officer with connections in the crime scene cleanup field, proposes that Rose and Norah join him in this line of work. Initially, the sisters are clueless about how to handle the job, lacking licenses and proper training. In their inexperience, they carelessly dispose of hazardous materials by tossing them in dumpsters.
As they learn the ropes of this often overlooked profession, they meet Winston, a resourceful proprietor of a shop that specializes in cleanup supplies. With his guidance, they acquire the essential tools needed to transform their venture into a respectable business, which they name Sunshine Cleaning. As their reputation begins to flourish, so does their sense of purpose, offering a poignant reminder of their mother’s tragic death and the impact their work has on others.
Simultaneously, each family member grapples with their personal challenges. For Rose, confronting familiar faces from high school serves as a bitter contrast to her current situation. A surprising encounter with Mac's pregnant wife at a gas station becomes a harsh reality check, pushing Rose to accept that she will not regain Mac’s affections. Norah, meanwhile, finds comfort in her budding relationship with Lynn, the child of a woman whose home they clean.
On another front, Joe becomes fixated on starting his own shrimp selling business in hopes of raising money for Oscar's coveted birthday binoculars. Through the intertwining narratives of struggle and hope, Rose Lorkowski and her family slowly begin to traverse the complicated landscape of their lives, discovering peace amidst the chaos of tragedy.
Just as Sunshine Cleaning gains traction, they receive a chance for ongoing work from a notable insurance company. However, Rose’s personal and professional lives collide at the unfortunate timing of a baby shower, which reunites her with her affluent high school peers. Attempting to escape, she urges Norah to manage the cleaning project by herself. Unfortunately, Norah's unintentional mishap with a candle sets the house ablaze, resulting in a devastating $40,000 debt that Sunshine Cleaning is unable to repay. The outcome is disastrous, forcing Rose back to her roots as a solitary house cleaner.
At the same time, Joe’s shrimp selling dream crumbles when he realizes that buyers won’t purchase from an unlicensed food distributor. His efforts leave him without customers and no prospects for success.
As tensions rise, Norah finds herself drifting away from Lynn, sensing that their feelings weren’t mutual. An emotional moment arises at Oscar’s birthday party when Norah approaches Rose to express her regrets. Despite still harboring rage, Rose ultimately forgives her sister, symbolizing a tentative mending of their relationship.
The family dynamics continue to shift with Winston showing his interest in Rose, adding further complexity to their lives. In the aftermath of these events, Rose visits their father, who has embarked on a new venture called Lorkowski Cleaning. He offers her a partnership, recognizing and valuing her expertise. Meanwhile, Norah sets out on a solo road trip for self-discovery and independence. As she ventures into the unknown, Rose begins a fresh chapter, teaming up with her father to revive their family’s cleaning legacy, emerging stronger from their past struggles.
