A new study by Fairy claims ladies are no longer tied to the kitchen sink...

Remember the Fairy jingle ‘For hands that do dishes are as soft as your face’?  Well, now, as those boffins at Fairy point out, women can have hands that don’t do dishes too as modern-day, time-saving machines - like the dishwasher - leave many women with time on their hands to enjoy more glamorous pursuits.

However, according to Fairy's new study to mark the launch of their new cleaning product "Fairy Active Bursts for dishwashers", many women actually enjoy their time in the kitchen.

Almost three quarters (74%) of the women polled class themselves as a GLAMMIE (glamorous women, wives and mothers). And the survey suggests that what these women really want (and are working hard to achieve) is a dream kitchen packed with must-have gadgets and to-die-for décor.

Indeed, the survey results suggested that it is not unusual for women to spend almost half of their average annual salary on a new kitchen and, when cash spent on time-saving kitchen devices and stylish accessories is also taken into account, an average 30-something GLAMMIE would be happy to shell out £10,000.  And, although the women polled were happy to roll up their sleeves and spend 9 hours per week ensuring the kitchen is spick and span, many opt for the quicker option, happy to invest £41.70 each week employing a cleaner.

According to Fairy, ladies no longer feel the need to retreat to the bathroom or bedroom for peace and pampering as they see their kitchen as a haven.  Over half (51%) of the 30-something GLAMMIES polled consider their kitchen to be a place of relaxation with over a quarter (26%) regularly using the kitchen surfaces for manicures and pedicures.

And it doesn't stop there: 53% of women admit to spicing up their love life in the kitchen.  The research shows that GLAMMIES are indulging in rather risqué pursuits, with unorthodox uses of the dishwasher (which was invented by a woman) and the kitchen sink being just some of the innovations that left an impression on the Fairy researchers.

Ultimately, it would seem that modern, time-saving machines and higher incomes allow women to opt out of housework if they want to.  Indeed, Fairy reports that model Jodie Kidd cannot live without her dishwasher.

But on the flip side Fairy points out that Ozzie icon Kylie has a passion for ironing.

Whether it's doing the dishes or having a manicure the modern kitchen evidently presents plenty of possibilities.

The research was conducted by the Consumer Analysis Group through telephone interviews with 500 women aged between 20 and 50.