Embodiments of the present invention recite a method for removing particles from a magnetic head support assembly of a hard disk drive. In one embodiment, a load/unload operation of the magnetic head support assembly is initiated. Particles are dislodged from the magnetic head support assembly by moving it across a physical feature of the load/unload ramp of the hard disk drive. This causes an acceleration of the magnetic head support assembly in a direction substantially perpendicular to its normal plane of movement which dislodges the particles. The particles are then conveyed away from the magnetic head support assembly in an airstream generated by the rotation of the disk pack of the hard disk drive.