This video from the US Coast Guard shows how an oil covered pelican is cleaned. This short clip shows a pelican being cleaned at the Theodore Oiled Wildlife Rehabilitation Center. This is just a two-minute video. The actual cleaning process takes one hour per pelican. Warm water and diluted Dawn dishwashing liquid is used. Even the pelican's bill is thoroughly cleaned inside and out during the cleaning process. It is a two person job. Take a look:
