A laundry appliance includes a drum that defines a processing space for drying articles. A blower delivers process air through an airflow path that includes the processing space. A heater is in thermal communication with the airflow path and delivers thermal energy to the process air. A controller is in communication with the drum, the blower, and the heater. During operation of a laundry cycle, the heater, the drum, and the blower cooperatively operate a particulate removal phase that maintains the articles in a damp state for a predetermined period of time. The damp state of the articles prevents accumulation of an electrostatic charge within the articles and a surface of the drum and allows the process air to separate particulate matter from the articles. After completion of the particulate removal phase, the heater operates at a conventional state that operates to dry the articles.