A sterilizing method and apparatus and an ion generating apparatus in which neutral atoms and anions are coupled to produce a sterilizing substance which is, in turn, used to remove an object to be removed by sterilization. The sterilizing apparatus includes a cation generator and an anion generator which are included in the ion generating apparatus and are separate from each other. Also disclosed are an electric appliance and an air cleaning apparatus using the sterilizing method and apparatus and the ion generating apparatus.
