DesktopSweeper is a freeware APE Module (the equivalent of Unsanity's Haxies) that provides a hotkey to control whether or not desktop icons are displayed. DesktopSweeper doesn't work by covering the desktop so your background isn't affected at all – even if you use an application that displays animated or screensaver backgrounds. Also, if you log out or quit Finder while icons are hidden, the next time you log-in (or launch Finder) the icons will be displayed where you expect them to be.
