diff --git a/examples/react/package-lock.json b/examples/react/package-lock.json
index ff52838..72940b4 100644
--- a/examples/react/package-lock.json
+++ b/examples/react/package-lock.json
@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@
     },
     "../../packages/overlayscrollbars-react/dist": {
       "name": "overlayscrollbars-react",
-      "version": "0.4.0",
+      "version": "0.5.0",
       "license": "MIT",
       "peerDependencies": {
         "overlayscrollbars": "^2.0.0",
diff --git a/examples/react/src/App.tsx b/examples/react/src/App.tsx
index 5522a93..5c2a9b6 100644
--- a/examples/react/src/App.tsx
+++ b/examples/react/src/App.tsx
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@ function App() {
       <OverlayScrollbarsComponent
         style={{ width: '222px', height: '222px' }}
         options={{ scrollbars: { theme: 'os-theme-light' } }}
+        defer
       >
         <img src={logo} className="App-logo" alt="React logo" width="333" height="333" />
       </OverlayScrollbarsComponent>
diff --git a/examples/vue/package-lock.json b/examples/vue/package-lock.json
index b1166cb..5ffb1d6 100644
--- a/examples/vue/package-lock.json
+++ b/examples/vue/package-lock.json
@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@
     },
     "../../packages/overlayscrollbars-vue/dist": {
       "name": "overlayscrollbars-vue",
-      "version": "0.4.0",
+      "version": "0.5.0",
       "license": "MIT",
       "peerDependencies": {
         "overlayscrollbars": "^2.0.0",
diff --git a/examples/vue/src/App.vue b/examples/vue/src/App.vue
index 2e7b9a4..9635757 100644
--- a/examples/vue/src/App.vue
+++ b/examples/vue/src/App.vue
@@ -10,7 +10,7 @@ const options: PartialOptions = {
 </script>
 
 <template>
-  <OverlayScrollbarsComponent style="height: 222px; width: 222px" :options="options">
+  <OverlayScrollbarsComponent style="height: 222px; width: 222px" :options="options" defer>
     <img alt="Vue logo" class="logo" src="./assets/logo.svg" width="333" height="333" />
   </OverlayScrollbarsComponent>
 </template>
diff --git a/packages/overlayscrollbars-vue/CHANGELOG.md b/packages/overlayscrollbars-vue/CHANGELOG.md
index 4c1c6c5..f840ce8 100644
--- a/packages/overlayscrollbars-vue/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/packages/overlayscrollbars-vue/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -1,5 +1,18 @@
 # Changelog
 
+## 0.5.0
+
+### Features
+
+Added the possibility to `defer` the initialization to a point in time when the browser is idle. (or to the next frame if `window.requestIdleCallback` is not supported) 
+- `OverlayScrollbarsComponent` accepts now the `defer` property
+- `useOverlayScrollbars` params accept now the `defer` key
+- `useOverlayScrollbars` will now always try to destroy the instance if the component unmounts.
+
+### Breaking Changes
+
+- Because initialization can be deferred now, the `initialize` function of the `useOverlayScrollbars` composable isn't returning the instance anymore. Use the `instance` function of the `useOverlayScrollbars` composable instead.
+
 ## 0.4.0
 
 Depends on `OverlayScrollbars` version `^2.0.0` and `Vue` version `^3.2.25`.  
diff --git a/packages/overlayscrollbars-vue/README.md b/packages/overlayscrollbars-vue/README.md
index 7da2f7f..aa6c825 100644
--- a/packages/overlayscrollbars-vue/README.md
+++ b/packages/overlayscrollbars-vue/README.md
@@ -57,18 +57,21 @@ import { OverlayScrollbarsComponent } from "overlayscrollbars-vue";
 
 // ...
 
-<OverlayScrollbarsComponent>
+<OverlayScrollbarsComponent defer>
   example content
 </OverlayScrollbarsComponent>
 ```
 
 ### Properties
 
-It has three optional properties: `element`, `options` and `events`.
+It has optional properties:
 
 - `element`: accepts a `string` which represents the tag of the root element.
 - `options`: accepts an `object` which represents the OverlayScrollbars options.
 - `events`: accepts an `object` which represents the OverlayScrollbars events.
+- `defer`: accepts an `boolean` or `object`. Defers the initialization to a point in time when the browser is idle.
+
+> __Note__: Its **highly recommended** to use the `defer` option whenever possible to defer the initialization to a browser's idle period.
 
 ```jsx
 // example usage
@@ -76,6 +79,7 @@ It has three optional properties: `element`, `options` and `events`.
   element="span"
   options={{ scrollbars: { autoHide: 'scroll' } }}
   events={{ scroll: () => { /* ... */ } }}
+  defer
 />
 ```
 
@@ -116,7 +120,7 @@ import { useOverlayScrollbars } from "overlayscrollbars-vue";
 const Component = {
   setup() {
     const div = ref(null);
-    const reactiveParams = reactive({ options, events });
+    const reactiveParams = reactive({ options, events, defer });
     const [initialize, instance] = useOverlayScrollbars(reactiveParams);
 
     /** 
@@ -132,6 +136,7 @@ const Component = {
      * const [initialize, instance] = useOverlayScrollbars({
      *   options,
      *   events,
+     *   defer,
      * });
      * 
      */
@@ -154,12 +159,13 @@ The composable is for advanced usage and lets you control the whole initializati
 ### Parameters
 
 Parameters are optional and similar to the `OverlayScrollbarsComponent`.
-Its an `object` with two optional properties:
+Its an `object` with optional properties:
 
 - `options`: accepts an `object` which represents the OverlayScrollbars options.
 - `events`: accepts an `object` which represents the OverlayScrollbars events.
+- `defer`: accepts an `boolean` or `object`. Defers the initialization to a point in time when the browser is idle.
 
-> __Note__: The object can be a normal, `reactive` or `ref` object. This also applies to the `options` and `events` fields.
+> __Note__: The object can be a normal, `reactive` or `ref` object. This also applies to all fields.
 
 ### Return
 
diff --git a/packages/overlayscrollbars-vue/package.json b/packages/overlayscrollbars-vue/package.json
index ac64c6d..cf298fd 100644
--- a/packages/overlayscrollbars-vue/package.json
+++ b/packages/overlayscrollbars-vue/package.json
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 {
   "name": "overlayscrollbars-vue",
   "private": true,
-  "version": "0.4.0",
+  "version": "0.5.0",
   "description": "OverlayScrollbars for Vue.",
   "author": "Rene Haas | KingSora",
   "license": "MIT",
diff --git a/packages/overlayscrollbars-vue/src/OverlayScrollbarsComponent.types.ts b/packages/overlayscrollbars-vue/src/OverlayScrollbarsComponent.types.ts
index e4f14fd..3fe9a3d 100644
--- a/packages/overlayscrollbars-vue/src/OverlayScrollbarsComponent.types.ts
+++ b/packages/overlayscrollbars-vue/src/OverlayScrollbarsComponent.types.ts
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ export interface OverlayScrollbarsComponentProps {
   element?: string;
   options?: PartialOptions | false | null;
   events?: EventListeners | false | null;
+  defer?: boolean | IdleRequestOptions;
 }
 
 export interface OverlayScrollbarsComponentRef {
diff --git a/packages/overlayscrollbars-vue/src/OverlayScrollbarsComponent.vue b/packages/overlayscrollbars-vue/src/OverlayScrollbarsComponent.vue
index ec6a91d..51e495b 100644
--- a/packages/overlayscrollbars-vue/src/OverlayScrollbarsComponent.vue
+++ b/packages/overlayscrollbars-vue/src/OverlayScrollbarsComponent.vue
@@ -25,6 +25,7 @@ const props = defineProps({
   },
   options: { type: Object as PropType<OverlayScrollbarsComponentProps['options']> },
   events: { type: Object as PropType<OverlayScrollbarsComponentProps['events']> },
+  defer: { type: [Boolean, Object] as PropType<OverlayScrollbarsComponentProps['defer']> },
 });
 const emits = defineEmits<{
   (name: 'osInitialized', ...args: EventListenerArgs['initialized']): void;
@@ -36,8 +37,8 @@ const emits = defineEmits<{
 const elementRef = shallowRef<HTMLElement | null>(null);
 const slotRef = shallowRef<HTMLElement | null>(null);
 const combinedEvents = ref<EventListeners>();
-const { element, options, events } = toRefs(props);
-const [initialize, osInstance] = useOverlayScrollbars({ options, events: combinedEvents });
+const { element, options, events, defer } = toRefs(props);
+const [initialize, osInstance] = useOverlayScrollbars({ options, events: combinedEvents, defer });
 const exposed: OverlayScrollbarsComponentRef = {
   osInstance,
   getElement: () => elementRef.value,
@@ -45,21 +46,20 @@ const exposed: OverlayScrollbarsComponentRef = {
 
 defineExpose(exposed);
 
-onUnmounted(() => osInstance()?.destroy());
-
 watchPostEffect((onCleanup) => {
   const { value: elm } = elementRef;
   const { value: slotElm } = slotRef;
 
   if (elm && slotElm) {
-    const instance = initialize({
+    initialize({
       target: elm,
       elements: {
         viewport: slotElm,
         content: slotElm,
       },
     });
-    onCleanup(() => instance.destroy());
+
+    onCleanup(() => osInstance()?.destroy());
   }
 });
 
diff --git a/packages/overlayscrollbars-vue/src/useOverlayScrollbars.ts b/packages/overlayscrollbars-vue/src/useOverlayScrollbars.ts
index 087d296..85ac17a 100644
--- a/packages/overlayscrollbars-vue/src/useOverlayScrollbars.ts
+++ b/packages/overlayscrollbars-vue/src/useOverlayScrollbars.ts
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-import { shallowRef, unref, watch } from 'vue';
+import { onUnmounted, shallowRef, unref, watch } from 'vue';
 import { OverlayScrollbars } from 'overlayscrollbars';
 import type { Ref, UnwrapRef } from 'vue';
 import type { InitializationTarget } from 'overlayscrollbars';
@@ -7,6 +7,11 @@ import type {
   OverlayScrollbarsComponentRef,
 } from './OverlayScrollbarsComponent.types';
 
+type Defer = [
+  requestDefer: (callback: () => any, options?: OverlayScrollbarsComponentProps['defer']) => void,
+  cancelDefer: () => void
+];
+
 export interface UseOverlayScrollbarsParams {
   /** OverlayScrollbars options. */
   options?:
@@ -16,16 +21,57 @@ export interface UseOverlayScrollbarsParams {
   events?:
     | OverlayScrollbarsComponentProps['events']
     | Ref<OverlayScrollbarsComponentProps['events']>;
+  /** Whether to defer the initialization to a point in time when the browser is idle. (or to the next frame if `window.requestIdleCallback` is not supported) */
+  defer?: OverlayScrollbarsComponentProps['defer'] | Ref<OverlayScrollbarsComponentProps['defer']>;
 }
 
-export type UseOverlayScrollbarsInitialization = (
-  target: InitializationTarget
-) => OverlayScrollbars;
+export type UseOverlayScrollbarsInitialization = (target: InitializationTarget) => void;
 
 export type UseOverlayScrollbarsInstance = () => ReturnType<
   OverlayScrollbarsComponentRef['osInstance']
 >;
 
+const createDefer = (): Defer => {
+  /* c8 ignore start */
+  if (typeof window === 'undefined') {
+    // mock ssr calls with "noop"
+    // eslint-disable-next-line @typescript-eslint/no-empty-function
+    const noop = () => {};
+    return [noop, noop];
+  }
+  /* c8 ignore end */
+
+  let idleId: number;
+  let rafId: number;
+  const wnd = window;
+  const idleSupported = typeof wnd.requestIdleCallback === 'function';
+  const rAF = wnd.requestAnimationFrame;
+  const cAF = wnd.cancelAnimationFrame;
+  const rIdle = idleSupported ? wnd.requestIdleCallback : rAF;
+  const cIdle = idleSupported ? wnd.cancelIdleCallback : cAF;
+  const clear = () => {
+    cIdle(idleId);
+    cAF(rafId);
+  };
+
+  return [
+    (callback, options) => {
+      clear();
+      idleId = rIdle(
+        idleSupported
+          ? () => {
+              clear();
+              // inside idle its best practice to use rAF to change DOM for best performance
+              rafId = rAF(callback);
+            }
+          : callback,
+        typeof options === 'object' ? options : { timeout: 2233 }
+      );
+    },
+    clear,
+  ];
+};
+
 /**
  * Composable for advanced usage of OverlayScrollbars. (When the OverlayScrollbarsComponent is not enough)
  * @param params Parameters for customization.
@@ -39,7 +85,17 @@ export const useOverlayScrollbars = (
   let instance: ReturnType<UseOverlayScrollbarsInstance> = null;
   let options: UnwrapRef<UseOverlayScrollbarsParams['options']>;
   let events: UnwrapRef<UseOverlayScrollbarsParams['events']>;
+  let defer: UnwrapRef<UseOverlayScrollbarsParams['defer']>;
   const paramsRef = shallowRef(params || {});
+  const [requestDefer, clearDefer] = createDefer();
+
+  watch(
+    () => unref(paramsRef.value?.defer),
+    (currDefer) => {
+      defer = currDefer;
+    },
+    { deep: true, immediate: true }
+  );
 
   watch(
     () => unref(paramsRef.value?.options),
@@ -69,14 +125,25 @@ export const useOverlayScrollbars = (
     { deep: true, immediate: true }
   );
 
+  onUnmounted(() => {
+    clearDefer();
+    instance?.destroy();
+  });
+
   return [
-    (target: InitializationTarget): OverlayScrollbars => {
-      // if already initialized return the current instance
+    (target) => {
+      // if already initialized do nothing
       if (OverlayScrollbars.valid(instance)) {
         return instance;
       }
 
-      return (instance = OverlayScrollbars(target, options || {}, events || {}));
+      const init = () => (instance = OverlayScrollbars(target, options || {}, events || {}));
+
+      if (defer) {
+        requestDefer(init, defer);
+      } else {
+        init();
+      }
     },
     () => instance,
   ];
diff --git a/packages/overlayscrollbars-vue/test/OverlayScrollbarsComponent.test.tsx b/packages/overlayscrollbars-vue/test/OverlayScrollbarsComponent.test.tsx
index 77a9b3a..c356317 100644
--- a/packages/overlayscrollbars-vue/test/OverlayScrollbarsComponent.test.tsx
+++ b/packages/overlayscrollbars-vue/test/OverlayScrollbarsComponent.test.tsx
@@ -1,10 +1,19 @@
 import { onMounted, ref, toRefs } from 'vue';
-import { describe, test, afterEach, expect, vitest } from 'vitest';
+import { describe, test, afterEach, expect, vitest, vi } from 'vitest';
 import { OverlayScrollbars } from 'overlayscrollbars';
 import { fireEvent, render, screen, cleanup } from '@testing-library/vue';
 import userEvent from '@testing-library/user-event';
 import { OverlayScrollbarsComponent } from '~/overlayscrollbars-vue';
 
+vi.useFakeTimers({
+  toFake: [
+    'requestAnimationFrame',
+    'cancelAnimationFrame',
+    'requestIdleCallback',
+    'cancelIdleCallback',
+  ],
+});
+
 describe('OverlayScrollbarsComponent', () => {
   afterEach(() => cleanup());
 
@@ -117,6 +126,44 @@ describe('OverlayScrollbarsComponent', () => {
     });
   });
 
+  describe('deferred initialization', () => {
+    test('basic defer', () => {
+      const { container } = render(<OverlayScrollbarsComponent defer />);
+
+      expect(OverlayScrollbars(container.firstElementChild! as HTMLElement)).toBeUndefined();
+
+      vi.advanceTimersByTime(2000);
+
+      expect(OverlayScrollbars(container.firstElementChild! as HTMLElement)).toBeDefined();
+    });
+
+    test('options defer', () => {
+      const { container } = render(<OverlayScrollbarsComponent defer={{ timeout: 0 }} />);
+
+      expect(OverlayScrollbars(container.firstElementChild! as HTMLElement)).toBeUndefined();
+
+      vi.advanceTimersByTime(2000);
+
+      expect(OverlayScrollbars(container.firstElementChild! as HTMLElement)).toBeDefined();
+    });
+
+    test('defer with unsupported Idle', () => {
+      const original = window.requestIdleCallback;
+      // @ts-ignore
+      window.requestIdleCallback = undefined;
+
+      const { container } = render(<OverlayScrollbarsComponent defer />);
+
+      expect(OverlayScrollbars(container.firstElementChild! as HTMLElement)).toBeUndefined();
+
+      vi.advanceTimersByTime(2000);
+
+      expect(OverlayScrollbars(container.firstElementChild! as HTMLElement)).toBeDefined();
+
+      window.requestIdleCallback = original;
+    });
+  });
+
   test('ref', () => {
     const osRef = ref();
     const { container } = render({
diff --git a/packages/overlayscrollbars-vue/test/useOverlayScrollbars.test.tsx b/packages/overlayscrollbars-vue/test/useOverlayScrollbars.test.tsx
index 92ab45b..2f91639 100644
--- a/packages/overlayscrollbars-vue/test/useOverlayScrollbars.test.tsx
+++ b/packages/overlayscrollbars-vue/test/useOverlayScrollbars.test.tsx
@@ -1,15 +1,20 @@
-import { reactive, onMounted, ref, watch, toRaw, watchPostEffect } from 'vue';
+import { reactive, onMounted, ref, toRaw } from 'vue';
 import { describe, test, afterEach, expect, vitest } from 'vitest';
 import { render, screen, cleanup } from '@testing-library/vue';
 import userEvent from '@testing-library/user-event';
+import { OverlayScrollbars } from 'overlayscrollbars';
 import { useOverlayScrollbars } from '~/overlayscrollbars-vue';
-import type { PartialOptions, EventListeners, OverlayScrollbars } from 'overlayscrollbars';
+import type { PartialOptions, EventListeners } from 'overlayscrollbars';
 
 describe('useOverlayScrollbars', () => {
-  afterEach(() => cleanup());
+  afterEach(() => {
+    try {
+      cleanup();
+    } catch {}
+  });
 
   test('re-initialization', () => {
-    render({
+    const { unmount } = render({
       setup() {
         const instanceRef = ref<OverlayScrollbars | null>(null);
         const [initialize, instance] = useOverlayScrollbars();
@@ -18,12 +23,11 @@ describe('useOverlayScrollbars', () => {
           <>
             <button
               onClick={(event) => {
-                const osInstance = initialize(event.target as HTMLElement);
+                initialize(event.target as HTMLElement);
                 if (instanceRef.value) {
-                  expect(toRaw(instanceRef.value)).toBe(osInstance);
                   expect(toRaw(instanceRef.value)).toBe(instance());
                 }
-                instanceRef.value = osInstance;
+                instanceRef.value = instance();
                 expect(toRaw(instanceRef.value)).toBe(instance());
               }}
             >
@@ -42,40 +46,37 @@ describe('useOverlayScrollbars', () => {
     userEvent.click(initializeBtn);
 
     expect(snapshot).toBe(initializeBtn.innerHTML);
+
+    expect(OverlayScrollbars(initializeBtn)).toBeDefined();
+
+    unmount();
+
+    expect(OverlayScrollbars(initializeBtn)).toBeUndefined();
   });
 
   test('reactive params', async () => {
-    let osInstance: OverlayScrollbars;
+    let osInstance: OverlayScrollbars | null;
     const onUpdated = vitest.fn();
-    render({
+    const { unmount } = render({
       setup() {
         const div = ref<HTMLElement | null>(null);
         const params = reactive<{ options?: PartialOptions; events?: EventListeners }>({});
         const [initialize, instance] = useOverlayScrollbars(params);
 
         onMounted(() => {
-          osInstance = initialize({ target: div.value! });
+          initialize({ target: div.value! });
+          osInstance = instance();
         });
 
-        watch(
-          () => params,
-          () => {
-            if (params.events!.updated) {
-              instance()?.update(true);
-            }
-          },
-          { deep: true }
-        );
-
         return () => (
           <>
             <div ref={div} />
             <button
               onClick={() => {
-                params.options = {};
                 params.events = {};
-                params.options!.paddingAbsolute = true;
                 params.events!.updated = onUpdated;
+                params.options = {};
+                params.options!.paddingAbsolute = true;
               }}
             >
               trigger
@@ -92,25 +93,22 @@ describe('useOverlayScrollbars', () => {
 
     expect(onUpdated).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1);
     expect(osInstance!.options().paddingAbsolute).toBe(true);
+
+    unmount();
   });
 
   test('ref params', async () => {
-    let osInstance: OverlayScrollbars;
+    let osInstance: OverlayScrollbars | null;
     const onUpdated = vitest.fn();
-    render({
+    const { unmount } = render({
       setup() {
         const div = ref<HTMLElement | null>(null);
         const params = ref<{ options?: PartialOptions; events?: EventListeners } | undefined>();
         const [initialize, instance] = useOverlayScrollbars(params);
 
         onMounted(() => {
-          osInstance = initialize({ target: div.value! });
-        });
-
-        watchPostEffect(() => {
-          if (params.value?.events?.updated) {
-            instance()?.update(true);
-          }
+          initialize({ target: div.value! });
+          osInstance = instance();
         });
 
         return () => (
@@ -139,29 +137,28 @@ describe('useOverlayScrollbars', () => {
 
     expect(onUpdated).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1);
     expect(osInstance!.options().paddingAbsolute).toBe(true);
+
+    unmount();
   });
 
   test('ref params fields', async () => {
-    let osInstance: OverlayScrollbars;
+    let osInstance: OverlayScrollbars | null;
     const onUpdated = vitest.fn();
-    render({
+    const { unmount } = render({
       setup() {
         const div = ref<HTMLElement | null>(null);
         const options = ref<PartialOptions | undefined>();
         const events = ref<EventListeners | undefined>();
+        const defer = ref<boolean | undefined>();
         const [initialize, instance] = useOverlayScrollbars({
           options,
           events,
+          defer,
         });
 
         onMounted(() => {
-          osInstance = initialize({ target: div.value! });
-        });
-
-        watchPostEffect(() => {
-          if (events.value?.updated) {
-            instance()?.update(true);
-          }
+          initialize({ target: div.value! });
+          osInstance = instance();
         });
 
         return () => (
@@ -169,10 +166,10 @@ describe('useOverlayScrollbars', () => {
             <div ref={div} />
             <button
               onClick={() => {
-                options.value = {};
                 events.value = {};
-                options.value.paddingAbsolute = true;
                 events.value.updated = onUpdated;
+                options.value = {};
+                options.value.paddingAbsolute = true;
               }}
             >
               trigger
@@ -189,5 +186,7 @@ describe('useOverlayScrollbars', () => {
 
     expect(onUpdated).toHaveBeenCalledTimes(1);
     expect(osInstance!.options().paddingAbsolute).toBe(true);
+
+    unmount();
   });
 });