Why not put in a new "test items" folder and move your Downloads and Saved Sims folders to the desktop until you're done? Keep your meshes in a separate folder to be left in if you need them. It's what I do.
*grin* Well, that's what I am doing, but I'm spoiled by the ease of use of SimPE, WTF, and several other programs, none of which, unfortunately, provide true colour rendered images of clothes.
I was prompted to write because I am currently redownloading fanseelamb's stuff. I love her work, and about 90% of my male sims would be naked without her clothes, but I still have to delete about 2/3's of the massive downloads she offers, keeping (and cherishing) the few I'll actually use. Bodyshop's annoying flip back to the beginning after deletion just annoys the hell out of me.