I make a new folder for on the desktop - and name it "misc"
it's for various icons/shortcuts that i don't want to completely get rid of -I don't like a cluttered screen either.

then I just drag and drop all the ones I want into it.

Making a New Folder On Desktop -

Right click anywhere on an open area of the desktop.
Select New and then click Folder.
A new folder with the default name New Folder will be created on the desktop.
type a name for the folder and then hit enter on the keyboard.

Then just drag & drop icons into it.