I make soap and the soap seems dryer than it should. 

You'll need decorative items, creature comforts like books and DVDs, linens and towels (including enough for your longest anticipated stay), bathroom items like shampoo and soap and toilet paper, and a monthly budget for re-supplies of these.I'd also recommend purchasing a vacation rental insurance policy, to cover the furniture items and other things which may get damaged by a guest. 

we are giving our tenants a small gift basket, which will include Toilet paper, soap, air freshener, a couple of other little things.

Regarding soap and shampoo, @Jonathan W. got me remembering that we only have 2 1oz shampoo and 2 1oz bar's in each bathroom.

The net to them should be greater than if they placed their property with a local mgmt company.I just now realized I need to stand down from my soap box and stop talking but do not be dissuaded by those who would seek to squash your dreams...

This place is also missing a lot of other basics like salt and pepper, sugar, soap, shampoo and conditioner, etc. but the plunger is the one thing that really caused problems.

We don't believe there is anything that needs to be done with her lease, so we reply "Noted, sorry about your loss"4) Day 6: dishwasher leaks so much soap duds in the kitchen that it looks like it snowed there.

When you keep the evil spirits at bay, good things are bound to happen.So if life shoots you all the bad crap..Throw the soap away, turn your water off, and  be one with nature!

We have a standard list of things that we keep in our 22 furnished short term rentals.  4 rolls of tp per bathroom, 3 bars of Ivory, 8 pack of deodorant soap.One towel for each bed, plus a few extra.Linens for all the beds, plus a spare set.Kitchen has dish soap, paper towels, pot scrubbing pad, dishwasher detergent, laundry detergent, bleach, cleaning supplies, and a 4 pack of light bulbs.Outside is propane or a small bag of charcoal for the appropriate grill.My cleaning lady does the work for free.  

I am of the opinion there is more than one way to skin a cat @Keith ThompsonNot to get too high on my soap box, but I have more freedom than most financial advisors to have that opinion because I don't get paid to sell financial products and my fee is not based on the percentage of your assets I manage.