diff --git a/src/Umbraco.Core/DisposableObject.cs b/src/Umbraco.Core/DisposableObject.cs
index f054b53c98..516a9712e5 100644
--- a/src/Umbraco.Core/DisposableObject.cs
+++ b/src/Umbraco.Core/DisposableObject.cs
@@ -4,69 +4,58 @@ using System.Threading;
 namespace Umbraco.Core
 {
 	/// <summary>
-	/// Abstract implementation of logic commonly required to safely handle disposable unmanaged resources.
+	/// Abstract implementation of IDisposable.
 	/// </summary>
+	/// <remarks>
+	/// Can also be used as a pattern for when inheriting is not possible.
+	/// 
+    /// See also: https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/b1yfkh5e%28v=vs.110%29.aspx
+    /// See also: https://lostechies.com/chrispatterson/2012/11/29/idisposable-done-right/
+    /// 
+    /// Note: if an object's ctor throws, it will never be disposed, and so if that ctor
+    /// has allocated disposable objects, it should take care of disposing them.
+	/// </remarks>
 	public abstract class DisposableObject : IDisposable
 	{
 		private bool _disposed;
-		private readonly ReaderWriterLockSlim _disposalLocker = new ReaderWriterLockSlim();
+	    private readonly object _locko = new object();
 
-		/// <summary>
-		/// Gets a value indicating whether this instance is disposed.
-		/// </summary>
-		/// <value>
-		/// 	<c>true</c> if this instance is disposed; otherwise, <c>false</c>.
-		/// </value>
-		public bool IsDisposed
-		{
-			get { return _disposed; }
-		}
+		// gets a value indicating whether this instance is disposed.
+        // for internal tests only (not thread safe)
+        //TODO make this internal + rename "Disposed" when we can break compatibility
+		public bool IsDisposed { get { return _disposed; } }
 
-		/// <summary>
-		/// Performs application-defined tasks associated with freeing, releasing, or resetting unmanaged resources.
-		/// </summary>
-		/// <filterpriority>2</filterpriority>
+		// implements IDisposable
 		public void Dispose()
 		{
 			Dispose(true);
-
-			// Use SupressFinalize in case a subclass of this type implements a finalizer.
 			GC.SuppressFinalize(this);
 		}
 
+        // finalizer
 		~DisposableObject()
 		{
-			// Run dispose but let the class know it was due to the finalizer running.
 			Dispose(false);
 		}
 
-		protected virtual void Dispose(bool disposing)
+        //TODO make this private, non-virtual when we can break compatibility
+        protected virtual void Dispose(bool disposing)
 		{
-			// Only operate if we haven't already disposed
-			if (IsDisposed || !disposing) return;
+		    lock (_locko)
+		    {
+		        if (_disposed) return;
+		        _disposed = true;
+		    }
 
-			using (new WriteLock(_disposalLocker))
-			{
-				// Check again now we're inside the lock
-				if (IsDisposed) return;
+            DisposeUnmanagedResources();
 
-				// Call to actually release resources. This method is only
-				// kept separate so that the entire disposal logic can be used as a VS snippet
-				DisposeResources();
-
-				// Indicate that the instance has been disposed.
-				_disposed = true;
-			}
+            if (disposing)
+                DisposeResources();
 		}
 
-		/// <summary>
-		/// Handles the disposal of resources. Derived from abstract class <see cref="DisposableObject"/> which handles common required locking logic.
-		/// </summary>
 		protected abstract void DisposeResources();
 
 		protected virtual void DisposeUnmanagedResources()
-		{
-
-		}
+		{ }
 	}
 }
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/src/Umbraco.Tests/Scheduling/BackgroundTaskRunnerTests.cs b/src/Umbraco.Tests/Scheduling/BackgroundTaskRunnerTests.cs
index 812f5ed5e4..be681c9e72 100644
--- a/src/Umbraco.Tests/Scheduling/BackgroundTaskRunnerTests.cs
+++ b/src/Umbraco.Tests/Scheduling/BackgroundTaskRunnerTests.cs
@@ -547,7 +547,7 @@ namespace Umbraco.Tests.Scheduling
                 runner.Shutdown(false, true);
 
                 // check that task has been disposed (timer has been killed, etc)
-                Assert.IsTrue(task.Disposed);
+                Assert.IsTrue(task.IsDisposed);
             }
         }
 
diff --git a/src/Umbraco.Web/Scheduling/LatchedBackgroundTaskBase.cs b/src/Umbraco.Web/Scheduling/LatchedBackgroundTaskBase.cs
index 1fdb72bbb0..3315fa7c34 100644
--- a/src/Umbraco.Web/Scheduling/LatchedBackgroundTaskBase.cs
+++ b/src/Umbraco.Web/Scheduling/LatchedBackgroundTaskBase.cs
@@ -1,13 +1,13 @@
 using System;
 using System.Threading;
 using System.Threading.Tasks;
+using Umbraco.Core;
 
 namespace Umbraco.Web.Scheduling
 {
-    internal abstract class LatchedBackgroundTaskBase : ILatchedBackgroundTask
+    internal abstract class LatchedBackgroundTaskBase : DisposableObject, ILatchedBackgroundTask
     {
         private readonly ManualResetEventSlim _latch;
-        private bool _disposed;
 
         protected LatchedBackgroundTaskBase()
         {
@@ -51,34 +51,13 @@ namespace Umbraco.Web.Scheduling
 
         public abstract bool RunsOnShutdown { get; }
 
-        public void Dispose()
-        {
-            Dispose(true);
-            GC.SuppressFinalize(this);
-        }
-
-        // the task is going to be disposed again after execution,
+        // the task is going to be disposed after execution,
         // unless it is latched again, thus indicating it wants to
         // remain active
 
-        protected virtual void Dispose(bool disposing)
+        protected override void DisposeResources()
         {
-            if (disposing == false) return;
-
-            // lock on _latch instead of creating a new object as _latch is
-            // private, non-null, readonly - so safe here
-            lock (_latch)
-            {
-                if (_disposed) return;
-                _disposed = true;
-                _latch.Dispose();
-                DisposeResources();
-            }
+            _latch.Dispose();
         }
-
-        protected virtual void DisposeResources()
-        { }
-
-        public bool Disposed { get {  return _disposed; } }
     }
 }