A method of sterilizing containers (10), and in particular of plastics material containers, wherein an inner wall (10a) of these containers (10) is sterilized by being acted upon with charge carriers, and wherein a sterilization device is introduced to this end into the container (10) through an opening (10b) in this container (10), and this sterilization device (2) has a charge carrier generation device (12). According to the invention the charge carrier generation device (12) is introduced into the container (10) at least in part and generates the charge carriers in the interior of the container (10).
