Hazela - you can paint vinyl siding. Pressure wash it to remove and chalk and dirt.
All you need is two coats of 100% Acrylic Latex paint - buy the best you can afford. Primer isn't usually necessary.
What you cannot do is paint your siding a much darker color than it already is. Painting it a dark color will make it absorb more heat from the sun - causing it to warp and buckle.
Stick with white or other light pastel colors - dark brown will give you trouble.