I was skimming this thread, but in my skimming I did not see any mention of a Downey ball to solve the problem of liquid softener. It's just a little ball you fill with liquid softener and toss in on top of the laundry. It pops itself open at the right time.
How The Downy Ball Works And How To Use It | Downy Ball Instructions
I hung my clothes a lot last winter in the house in front of the fire place. It provided humidity to the house when the house was terribly dry.