Tracey, it's actually better to do this when the soil is really dry because earthworms will go deep down in the soil to a level where there is moisture. If you soak the soil, worms will be right below the surface. I live in rainy Seattle & have tons of earthworms & nightcrawlers & many of them are right below the surface whenever the soil is moist. The nightcrawlers often forage at dawn & dusk & can be seen pulling decaying leaves into their burrows. I avoid spraying anything that could harm them until at least 1 ft of the top layer of soil is really dry (4-6 weeks without rain & without watering). They go deep down in the soil to where there is moisture. The deeper they are, the better chance you have of not harming them because the soil above will act like a filter. I only water if worms start surfacing to dilute the irritant & then I water heavily (I collect the worms that surface & move them to another area & then use a sprinkler).

We used this; works great! http://www.homearmor.com/product/e-z-house-wash-gallon

I can't say for sure whether that's just dirt, or something more insidious. I agree that combined with the odd patterns here, your interior paint problems worry me. If it's just dirt, I've tried pressure washing and I still find that the quickest and most thorough way to clean vinyl siding is with ordinary dish soap in warm water, and a scrub brush. To minimize the need for ladders, you can get scrub brushes that can be threaded onto extension poles, both at hardware stores. Telescoping extension poles meant for paint rollers fit these brushes. If necessary you can even lash a couple of poles together for a good long reach. Dampen the siding with a spray from the hose, scrub an area, rinse with hose, done. Don't go overboard with the hose pressure.

I preface this reply by saying that it may step on some toes and is not for the easily offended... Think of your floor cleaning like your teeth cleaning: you can brush, floss, and gargle on your own to your heart's delight. But at the end of the day, it can't replicate the cleaning performed by a hygienist in the dentist office. In other words, you need to have a professional cleaning company periodically clean your vinyl floors. I know, most of you DYIers had it installed to get away from carpet, tile, and other flooring that has traditionally required professionals to maintain. Truth is, you DO NOT own the equipment needed to get these floors, particularly the ones with a textured profile, completely clean like they were prior to install. And while the flooring companies didn't outright lie to you (calling it low maintenance rather than no maintenance), they certainly led you astray by letting you to believe that a little hot water or their overpriced, product-specific cleaner was all you needed. So, find a reputable local cleaner to professionally clean your LVP floors. Got kids and dogs? Do you go barefoot or wear outdoor shoes in the house? Get your floors professionally cleaned every single year. The rest of you? Every 2-3 years. In the meantime, stop using steam. Stop using acidic (vinegar) and high ph (ammonia) products. Dump the bleach, Murphy's Oil Soap, Rejuvenate, Bona, Mop n Glow, Orange Glo, and all types of polishes. Only use a neutral cleaner in between professional cleanings. Oh, and those area rugs you put down to cover up the unsightliness of your floors? They're likely voiding your flooring warranty (probably not a big deal because many have already done so with their unapproved cleaning methods and lifestyle).