The Downloads folder is just like any other folder; it can be kept in the Dock or just in the Finder or even as a desktop short cut. And items are deleted from it just like they are from any other folder. Just trash them.
If you don't like dragging, highlight the icon and hit the Delete button in the toolbar, or go to Edit > Delete in the menu, or just hit the delete key on your keyboard. (Did I miss any other method/s?)
I put some of the downloads, such as instruction manuals, recipes,photos, that I wanted to keep into document folders and labeled them. Tell me of the danger please.
Sounds fine. Documents should be in the Documents folder. You can create sub-folders to your heart's content. Some applications place their own folders in the Documents folder. If you ever notice that, don't move them elsewhere.
Also some applications place folder in your home folder but within another folder, here is an example.
In my pictures folder I now have Flare (photo editing) and MP navigator (Canon) software folders.
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