An ordinary-temperature purifying catalyst includes an oxide having an oxygen defect introduced by a reduction treatment, and a noble metal loaded on the oxide. For example, the oxide can be at least one oxide selected from the group consisting of cerium oxides and zirconium oxides, at least a part of which has an oxygen defect. The catalyst can purify an environmental loading material, such as carbon monoxide, a nitrogen oxide, ethylene, formaldehyde, trimethylamine, methyl mercaptan and acetaldehyde, in air at an ordinary temperature. A method for how to use the catalyst is also disclosed.