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Man vacuumingIt may seem like a dream come true for the chaps and a just cunning get-out clause to the girls, but according to a new study those household chores could be reducing a man's chances of children.

It seems the tools needed for general housework, including vacuum cleaners, microwave ovens and even fridges, could damage your partner's sperm count.

Researchers from Stanford University in California exposed male volunteers to electromagnetic fields (which are produced by all electrically charged objects) and discovered that exposure to the vacuuming could double the risk of poor-quality sperm.

The study recruited 148 donors at a sperm bank in Shanghai and tests revealed that 76 had poor sperm mobility, shape or count, while 72 had strong swimmers.

Each participant was asked to wear meters to measure the magnetic fields they experienced during a 'typical' day.

Those with the highest readings were twice as likely to have low sperm quality as those who stayed away from magnetic fields.

Dr De-Kun Li, the fertility expert who led the research, told the Daily Mail: "I would advise men and couples trying for a baby to reduce their exposure to electromagnetic fields as much as possible.

"I'm not saying you shouldn't use a microwave but it makes sense to turn it on, then move away and go back when it is done. Keep devices, especially those with electric motors, away from the body."

But don't worry, boys... as far as we know, dusters, Mr Muscle and washing up liquid are all still safe.