diff --git a/src/KubeOps.KubernetesClient/KubernetesClient.cs b/src/KubeOps.KubernetesClient/KubernetesClient.cs
index c170c13b..18ddf946 100644
--- a/src/KubeOps.KubernetesClient/KubernetesClient.cs
+++ b/src/KubeOps.KubernetesClient/KubernetesClient.cs
@@ -428,13 +428,11 @@ public void Dispose()
 
     protected virtual void Dispose(bool disposing)
     {
-        if (!disposing)
+        if (!disposing || _disposed)
         {
             return;
         }
 
-        ThrowIfDisposed();
-
         // The property is intentionally set before the underlying _client is disposed.
         // This ensures that even if the disposal of the client is not finished yet, that all calls to the client
         // are instantly failing.
diff --git a/src/KubeOps.Operator/LeaderElection/LeaderElectionBackgroundService.cs b/src/KubeOps.Operator/LeaderElection/LeaderElectionBackgroundService.cs
index 66caf6f8..eedbfc05 100644
--- a/src/KubeOps.Operator/LeaderElection/LeaderElectionBackgroundService.cs
+++ b/src/KubeOps.Operator/LeaderElection/LeaderElectionBackgroundService.cs
@@ -8,9 +8,11 @@ namespace KubeOps.Operator.LeaderElection;
 /// This background service connects to the API and continuously watches the leader election.
 /// </summary>
 /// <param name="elector">The elector.</param>
-internal sealed class LeaderElectionBackgroundService(LeaderElector elector) : IHostedService, IDisposable
+internal sealed class LeaderElectionBackgroundService(LeaderElector elector)
+    : IHostedService, IDisposable, IAsyncDisposable
 {
     private readonly CancellationTokenSource _cts = new();
+    private bool _disposed;
 
     public Task StartAsync(CancellationToken cancellationToken)
     {
@@ -29,15 +31,45 @@ public Task StartAsync(CancellationToken cancellationToken)
         return Task.CompletedTask;
     }
 
-    public void Dispose() => _cts.Dispose();
+    public void Dispose()
+    {
+        _cts.Dispose();
+        elector.Dispose();
+        _disposed = true;
+    }
 
-#if NET8_0_OR_GREATER
-    public Task StopAsync(CancellationToken cancellationToken) => _cts.CancelAsync();
-#else
     public Task StopAsync(CancellationToken cancellationToken)
     {
+        if (_disposed)
+        {
+            return Task.CompletedTask;
+        }
+
+#if NET8_0_OR_GREATER
+        return _cts.CancelAsync();
+#else
         _cts.Cancel();
         return Task.CompletedTask;
-    }
 #endif
+    }
+
+    public async ValueTask DisposeAsync()
+    {
+        await CastAndDispose(_cts);
+        await CastAndDispose(elector);
+
+        _disposed = true;
+
+        static async ValueTask CastAndDispose(IDisposable resource)
+        {
+            if (resource is IAsyncDisposable resourceAsyncDisposable)
+            {
+                await resourceAsyncDisposable.DisposeAsync();
+            }
+            else
+            {
+                resource.Dispose();
+            }
+        }
+    }
 }
diff --git a/src/KubeOps.Operator/Queue/EntityRequeueBackgroundService.cs b/src/KubeOps.Operator/Queue/EntityRequeueBackgroundService.cs
index 0eb8d7d2..6b95f568 100644
--- a/src/KubeOps.Operator/Queue/EntityRequeueBackgroundService.cs
+++ b/src/KubeOps.Operator/Queue/EntityRequeueBackgroundService.cs
@@ -14,10 +14,11 @@ internal sealed class EntityRequeueBackgroundService<TEntity>(
     IKubernetesClient client,
     TimedEntityQueue<TEntity> queue,
     IServiceProvider provider,
-    ILogger<EntityRequeueBackgroundService<TEntity>> logger) : IHostedService, IDisposable
+    ILogger<EntityRequeueBackgroundService<TEntity>> logger) : IHostedService, IDisposable, IAsyncDisposable
     where TEntity : IKubernetesObject<V1ObjectMeta>
 {
     private readonly CancellationTokenSource _cts = new();
+    private bool _disposed;
 
     public Task StartAsync(CancellationToken cancellationToken)
     {
@@ -36,17 +37,50 @@ public Task StartAsync(CancellationToken cancellationToken)
         return Task.CompletedTask;
     }
 
-#if NET8_0_OR_GREATER
-    public Task StopAsync(CancellationToken cancellationToken) => _cts.CancelAsync();
-#else
     public Task StopAsync(CancellationToken cancellationToken)
     {
+        if (_disposed)
+        {
+            return Task.CompletedTask;
+        }
+
+#if NET8_0_OR_GREATER
+        return _cts.CancelAsync();
+#else
         _cts.Cancel();
         return Task.CompletedTask;
-    }
 #endif
+    }
 
-    public void Dispose() => _cts.Dispose();
+    public void Dispose()
+    {
+        _cts.Dispose();
+        client.Dispose();
+        queue.Dispose();
+
+        _disposed = true;
+    }
+
+    public async ValueTask DisposeAsync()
+    {
+        await CastAndDispose(_cts);
+        await CastAndDispose(client);
+        await CastAndDispose(queue);
+
+        _disposed = true;
+
+        static async ValueTask CastAndDispose(IDisposable resource)
+        {
+            if (resource is IAsyncDisposable resourceAsyncDisposable)
+            {
+                await resourceAsyncDisposable.DisposeAsync();
+            }
+            else
+            {
+                resource.Dispose();
+            }
+        }
+    }
 
     private async Task WatchAsync(CancellationToken cancellationToken)
     {
diff --git a/src/KubeOps.Operator/Watcher/LeaderAwareResourceWatcher{TEntity}.cs b/src/KubeOps.Operator/Watcher/LeaderAwareResourceWatcher{TEntity}.cs
index 9369705c..b5643de6 100644
--- a/src/KubeOps.Operator/Watcher/LeaderAwareResourceWatcher{TEntity}.cs
+++ b/src/KubeOps.Operator/Watcher/LeaderAwareResourceWatcher{TEntity}.cs
@@ -21,6 +21,7 @@ internal sealed class LeaderAwareResourceWatcher<TEntity>(
     where TEntity : IKubernetesObject<V1ObjectMeta>
 {
     private readonly CancellationTokenSource _cts = new();
+    private bool _disposed;
 
     public override Task StartAsync(CancellationToken cancellationToken)
     {
@@ -35,14 +36,30 @@ public override Task StartAsync(CancellationToken cancellationToken)
     public override Task StopAsync(CancellationToken cancellationToken)
     {
         logger.LogDebug("Unsubscribe from leadership updates.");
-        _cts.Cancel();
-        _cts.Dispose();
+        if (_disposed)
+        {
+            return Task.CompletedTask;
+        }
 
         elector.OnStartedLeading -= StartedLeading;
         elector.OnStoppedLeading -= StoppedLeading;
         return Task.CompletedTask;
     }
 
+    protected override void Dispose(bool disposing)
+    {
+        if (!disposing)
+        {
+            return;
+        }
+
+        _cts.Dispose();
+        elector.Dispose();
+        _disposed = true;
+
+        base.Dispose(disposing);
+    }
+
     private void StartedLeading()
     {
         logger.LogInformation("This instance started leading, starting watcher.");
diff --git a/src/KubeOps.Operator/Watcher/ResourceWatcher{TEntity}.cs b/src/KubeOps.Operator/Watcher/ResourceWatcher{TEntity}.cs
index 5484bba8..1566e83d 100644
--- a/src/KubeOps.Operator/Watcher/ResourceWatcher{TEntity}.cs
+++ b/src/KubeOps.Operator/Watcher/ResourceWatcher{TEntity}.cs
@@ -24,14 +24,20 @@ internal class ResourceWatcher<TEntity>(
     TimedEntityQueue<TEntity> requeue,
     OperatorSettings settings,
     IKubernetesClient client)
-    : IHostedService
+    : IHostedService, IAsyncDisposable, IDisposable
     where TEntity : IKubernetesObject<V1ObjectMeta>
 {
     private readonly ConcurrentDictionary<string, long> _entityCache = new();
     private readonly CancellationTokenSource _cancellationTokenSource = new();
 
     private uint _watcherReconnectRetries;
-    private Task _eventWatcher = Task.CompletedTask;
+    private Task? _eventWatcher;
+    private bool _disposed;
+
+    ~ResourceWatcher()
+    {
+        Dispose(false);
+    }
 
     public virtual Task StartAsync(CancellationToken cancellationToken)
     {
@@ -46,16 +52,80 @@ public virtual Task StartAsync(CancellationToken cancellationToken)
     public virtual async Task StopAsync(CancellationToken cancellationToken)
     {
         logger.LogInformation("Stopping resource watcher for {ResourceType}.", typeof(TEntity).Name);
+        if (_disposed)
+        {
+            return;
+        }
+
 #if NET8_0_OR_GREATER
         await _cancellationTokenSource.CancelAsync();
 #else
         _cancellationTokenSource.Cancel();
 #endif
-        await _eventWatcher.WaitAsync(cancellationToken);
-        _cancellationTokenSource.Dispose();
+        if (_eventWatcher is not null)
+        {
+            await _eventWatcher.WaitAsync(cancellationToken);
+        }
+
         logger.LogInformation("Stopped resource watcher for {ResourceType}.", typeof(TEntity).Name);
     }
 
+    public async ValueTask DisposeAsync()
+    {
+        await StopAsync(CancellationToken.None);
+        await DisposeAsyncCore();
+        GC.SuppressFinalize(this);
+    }
+
+    public void Dispose()
+    {
+        Dispose(true);
+        GC.SuppressFinalize(this);
+    }
+
+    protected virtual void Dispose(bool disposing)
+    {
+        if (!disposing)
+        {
+            return;
+        }
+
+        _cancellationTokenSource.Dispose();
+        _eventWatcher?.Dispose();
+        requeue.Dispose();
+        client.Dispose();
+
+        _disposed = true;
+    }
+
+    protected virtual async ValueTask DisposeAsyncCore()
+    {
+        if (_eventWatcher is not null)
+        {
+            await CastAndDispose(_eventWatcher);
+        }
+
+        await CastAndDispose(_cancellationTokenSource);
+        await CastAndDispose(requeue);
+        await CastAndDispose(client);
+
+        _disposed = true;
+
+        return;
+
+        static async ValueTask CastAndDispose(IDisposable resource)
+        {
+            if (resource is IAsyncDisposable resourceAsyncDisposable)
+            {
+                await resourceAsyncDisposable.DisposeAsync();
+            }
+            else
+            {
+                resource.Dispose();
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
     private async Task WatchClientEventsAsync(CancellationToken stoppingToken)
     {
         try
diff --git a/test/KubeOps.Operator.Test/HostedServices/LeaderResourceWatcher.Integration.Test.cs b/test/KubeOps.Operator.Test/HostedServices/LeaderResourceWatcher.Integration.Test.cs
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..d4994428
--- /dev/null
+++ b/test/KubeOps.Operator.Test/HostedServices/LeaderResourceWatcher.Integration.Test.cs
@@ -0,0 +1,25 @@
+using KubeOps.Abstractions.Controller;
+using KubeOps.Operator.Test.TestEntities;
+
+using Microsoft.Extensions.Hosting;
+
+namespace KubeOps.Operator.Test.HostedServices;
+
+public class LeaderAwareHostedServiceDisposeIntegrationTest : HostedServiceDisposeIntegrationTest
+{
+    protected override void ConfigureHost(HostApplicationBuilder builder)
+    {
+        builder.Services
+            .AddKubernetesOperator(op => op.EnableLeaderElection = true)
+            .AddController<TestController, V1OperatorIntegrationTestEntity>();
+    }
+
+    private class TestController : IEntityController<V1OperatorIntegrationTestEntity>
+    {
+        public Task ReconcileAsync(V1OperatorIntegrationTestEntity entity, CancellationToken cancellationToken) =>
+            Task.CompletedTask;
+
+        public Task DeletedAsync(V1OperatorIntegrationTestEntity entity, CancellationToken cancellationToken) =>
+            Task.CompletedTask;
+    }
+}
diff --git a/test/KubeOps.Operator.Test/HostedServices/ResourceWatcher.Integration.Test.cs b/test/KubeOps.Operator.Test/HostedServices/ResourceWatcher.Integration.Test.cs
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..a30a15a9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/test/KubeOps.Operator.Test/HostedServices/ResourceWatcher.Integration.Test.cs
@@ -0,0 +1,54 @@
+using KubeOps.Abstractions.Controller;
+using KubeOps.Operator.Test.TestEntities;
+
+using Microsoft.Extensions.DependencyInjection;
+using Microsoft.Extensions.Hosting;
+
+namespace KubeOps.Operator.Test.HostedServices;
+
+public class HostedServiceDisposeIntegrationTest : IntegrationTestBase
+{
+    [Fact]
+    public async Task Should_Allow_DisposeAsync_Before_StopAsync()
+    {
+        var hostedServices = Services.GetServices<IHostedService>()
+            .Where(service => service.GetType().Namespace!.StartsWith("KubeOps"));
+
+        // We need to test the inverse order, because the Host is usually disposing the resources in advance of
+        // stopping them.
+        foreach (IHostedService service in hostedServices)
+        {
+            await Assert.IsAssignableFrom<IAsyncDisposable>(service).DisposeAsync();
+            await service.StopAsync(CancellationToken.None);
+        }
+    }
+
+    [Fact]
+    public async Task Should_Allow_StopAsync_Before_DisposeAsync()
+    {
+        var hostedServices = Services.GetServices<IHostedService>()
+            .Where(service => service.GetType().Namespace!.StartsWith("KubeOps"));
+
+        foreach (IHostedService service in hostedServices)
+        {
+            await service.StopAsync(CancellationToken.None);
+            await Assert.IsAssignableFrom<IAsyncDisposable>(service).DisposeAsync();
+        }
+    }
+
+    protected override void ConfigureHost(HostApplicationBuilder builder)
+    {
+        builder.Services
+            .AddKubernetesOperator()
+            .AddController<TestController, V1OperatorIntegrationTestEntity>();
+    }
+
+    private class TestController : IEntityController<V1OperatorIntegrationTestEntity>
+    {
+        public Task ReconcileAsync(V1OperatorIntegrationTestEntity entity, CancellationToken cancellationToken) =>
+            Task.CompletedTask;
+
+        public Task DeletedAsync(V1OperatorIntegrationTestEntity entity, CancellationToken cancellationToken) =>
+            Task.CompletedTask;
+    }
+}