diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index c2c6a79f71..9aa6764e1c 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -87,6 +87,12 @@ Web/Django standard initiative (@strikaco)
 
 - Swap argument order of `evennia.set_trace` to `set_trace(term_size=(140, 40), debugger='auto')`
   since the size is more likely to be changed on the command line.
+- `utils.to_str(text, session=None)` now acts as the old `utils.to_unicode` (which was removed).
+  This converts to the str() type (not to a byte-string as in Evennia 0.8), trying different
+  encodings. This function will also force-convert any object passed to it into a string (so
+  `force_string` flag was removed and assumed always set).
+- `utils.to_bytes(text, session=None)` replaces the old `utils.to_str()` functionality and converts
+  str to bytes.
 
 
 ## Evennia 0.8 (2018)
diff --git a/evennia/accounts/accounts.py b/evennia/accounts/accounts.py
index 1c81e97c9f..46193a9106 100644
--- a/evennia/accounts/accounts.py
+++ b/evennia/accounts/accounts.py
@@ -196,18 +196,18 @@ class DefaultAccount(with_metaclass(TypeclassBase, AccountDB)):
     @lazy_property
     def sessions(self):
         return AccountSessionHandler(self)
-        
+
     # Do not make this a lazy property; the web UI will not refresh it!
     @property
     def characters(self):
         # Get playable characters list
         objs = self.db._playable_characters
-        
+
         # Rebuild the list if legacy code left null values after deletion
         if None in objs:
             objs = [x for x in self.db._playable_characters if x]
             self.db._playable_characters = objs
-            
+
         return objs
 
     # session-related methods
@@ -814,13 +814,7 @@ class DefaultAccount(with_metaclass(TypeclassBase, AccountDB)):
         kwargs["options"] = options
 
         if text is not None:
-            if not (isinstance(text, str) or isinstance(text, tuple)):
-                # sanitize text before sending across the wire
-                try:
-                    text = to_str(text, force_string=True)
-                except Exception:
-                    text = repr(text)
-            kwargs['text'] = text
+            kwargs['text'] = to_str(text)
 
         # session relay
         sessions = make_iter(session) if session else self.sessions.all()
diff --git a/evennia/commands/default/account.py b/evennia/commands/default/account.py
index dd5731e1ed..c39d588df9 100644
--- a/evennia/commands/default/account.py
+++ b/evennia/commands/default/account.py
@@ -223,12 +223,12 @@ class CmdCharDelete(COMMAND_DEFAULT_CLASS):
 
             match = match[0]
             account.ndb._char_to_delete = match
-            
+
             # Return if caller has no permission to delete this
             if not match.access(account, 'delete'):
                 self.msg("You do not have permission to delete this character.")
                 return
-            
+
             prompt = "|rThis will permanently destroy '%s'. This cannot be undone.|n Continue yes/[no]?"
             get_input(account, prompt % match.key, _callback)
 
diff --git a/evennia/commands/default/building.py b/evennia/commands/default/building.py
index 17b19a1e53..fb66eeba5a 100644
--- a/evennia/commands/default/building.py
+++ b/evennia/commands/default/building.py
@@ -2077,7 +2077,7 @@ class CmdExamine(ObjManipCommand):
         """
         if crop:
             if not isinstance(value, str):
-                value = utils.to_str(value, force_string=True)
+                value = utils.to_str(value)
             value = utils.crop(value)
 
         string = "\n %s = %s" % (attr, value)
diff --git a/evennia/commands/default/tests.py b/evennia/commands/default/tests.py
index a1a0f6833d..2e12a2e44c 100644
--- a/evennia/commands/default/tests.py
+++ b/evennia/commands/default/tests.py
@@ -107,7 +107,7 @@ class CommandTest(EvenniaTest):
             pass
 
         # clean out evtable sugar. We only operate on text-type
-        stored_msg = [args[0] if args and args[0] else kwargs.get("text", utils.to_str(kwargs, force_string=True))
+        stored_msg = [args[0] if args and args[0] else kwargs.get("text", utils.to_str(kwargs))
                       for name, args, kwargs in receiver.msg.mock_calls]
         # Get the first element of a tuple if msg received a tuple instead of a string
         stored_msg = [smsg[0] if isinstance(smsg, tuple) else smsg for smsg in stored_msg]
@@ -283,30 +283,30 @@ class TestAccount(CommandTest):
     def test_char_create(self):
         self.call(account.CmdCharCreate(), "Test1=Test char",
                   "Created new character Test1. Use @ic Test1 to enter the game", caller=self.account)
-                  
+
     def test_char_delete(self):
-        # Chardelete requires user input; this test is mainly to confirm 
+        # Chardelete requires user input; this test is mainly to confirm
         # whether permissions are being checked
-        
+
         # Add char to account playable characters
         self.account.db._playable_characters.append(self.char1)
-        
+
         # Try deleting as Developer
         self.call(account.CmdCharDelete(), "Char", "This will permanently destroy 'Char'. This cannot be undone. Continue yes/[no]?", caller=self.account)
-        
+
         # Downgrade permissions on account
         self.account.permissions.add('Player')
         self.account.permissions.remove('Developer')
-        
+
         # Set lock on character object to prevent deletion
         self.char1.locks.add('delete:none()')
-        
+
         # Try deleting as Player
         self.call(account.CmdCharDelete(), "Char", "You do not have permission to delete this character.", caller=self.account)
-        
+
         # Set lock on character object to allow self-delete
         self.char1.locks.add('delete:pid(%i)' % self.account.id)
-        
+
         # Try deleting as Player again
         self.call(account.CmdCharDelete(), "Char", "This will permanently destroy 'Char'. This cannot be undone. Continue yes/[no]?", caller=self.account)
 
diff --git a/evennia/comms/comms.py b/evennia/comms/comms.py
index f7ae94a910..e3104bd686 100644
--- a/evennia/comms/comms.py
+++ b/evennia/comms/comms.py
@@ -229,13 +229,13 @@ class DefaultChannel(with_metaclass(TypeclassBase, ChannelDB)):
         """
         Creates a basic Channel with default parameters, unless otherwise
         specified or extended.
-        
+
         Provides a friendlier interface to the utils.create_channel() function.
-        
+
         Args:
             key (str): This must be unique.
             account (Account): Account to attribute this object to.
-    
+
         Kwargs:
             aliases (list of str): List of alternative (likely shorter) keynames.
             description (str): A description of the channel, for use in listings.
@@ -248,26 +248,26 @@ class DefaultChannel(with_metaclass(TypeclassBase, ChannelDB)):
         Returns:
             channel (Channel): A newly created Channel.
             errors (list): A list of errors in string form, if any.
-            
+
         """
         errors = []
         obj = None
         ip = kwargs.pop('ip', '')
-        
+
         try:
             kwargs['desc'] = kwargs.pop('description', '')
             obj = create.create_channel(key, *args, **kwargs)
-            
+
             # Record creator id and creation IP
             if ip: obj.db.creator_ip = ip
             if account: obj.db.creator_id = account.id
-            
+
         except Exception as exc:
             errors.append("An error occurred while creating this '%s' object." % key)
             logger.log_err(exc)
-            
+
         return obj, errors
-    
+
     def delete(self):
         """
         Deletes channel while also cleaning up channelhandler.
@@ -773,4 +773,4 @@ class DefaultChannel(with_metaclass(TypeclassBase, ChannelDB)):
             return '#'
 
     # Used by Django Sites/Admin
-    get_absolute_url = web_get_detail_url
\ No newline at end of file
+    get_absolute_url = web_get_detail_url
diff --git a/evennia/contrib/ingame_python/tests.py b/evennia/contrib/ingame_python/tests.py
index 5f6fe6ec50..a67be7de8a 100644
--- a/evennia/contrib/ingame_python/tests.py
+++ b/evennia/contrib/ingame_python/tests.py
@@ -486,7 +486,7 @@ class TestDefaultCallbacks(CommandTest):
         try:
             self.char2.msg = Mock()
             self.call(ExitCommand(), "", obj=self.exit)
-            stored_msg = [args[0] if args and args[0] else kwargs.get("text", utils.to_str(kwargs, force_string=True))
+            stored_msg = [args[0] if args and args[0] else kwargs.get("text", utils.to_str(kwargs))
                           for name, args, kwargs in self.char2.msg.mock_calls]
             # Get the first element of a tuple if msg received a tuple instead of a string
             stored_msg = [smsg[0] if isinstance(smsg, tuple) else smsg for smsg in stored_msg]
@@ -507,7 +507,7 @@ class TestDefaultCallbacks(CommandTest):
         try:
             self.char2.msg = Mock()
             self.call(ExitCommand(), "", obj=back)
-            stored_msg = [args[0] if args and args[0] else kwargs.get("text", utils.to_str(kwargs, force_string=True))
+            stored_msg = [args[0] if args and args[0] else kwargs.get("text", utils.to_str(kwargs))
                           for name, args, kwargs in self.char2.msg.mock_calls]
             # Get the first element of a tuple if msg received a tuple instead of a string
             stored_msg = [smsg[0] if isinstance(smsg, tuple) else smsg for smsg in stored_msg]
diff --git a/evennia/objects/objects.py b/evennia/objects/objects.py
index 0d8d40318a..536ec5490c 100644
--- a/evennia/objects/objects.py
+++ b/evennia/objects/objects.py
@@ -582,7 +582,7 @@ class DefaultObject(with_metaclass(TypeclassBase, ObjectDB)):
             if not (isinstance(text, str) or isinstance(text, tuple)):
                 # sanitize text before sending across the wire
                 try:
-                    text = to_str(text, force_string=True)
+                    text = to_str(text)
                 except Exception:
                     text = repr(text)
             kwargs['text'] = text
diff --git a/evennia/prototypes/menus.py b/evennia/prototypes/menus.py
index ccf7e53d4f..35c84f61bc 100644
--- a/evennia/prototypes/menus.py
+++ b/evennia/prototypes/menus.py
@@ -1039,7 +1039,7 @@ def node_aliases(caller):
 
 def _caller_attrs(caller):
     prototype = _get_menu_prototype(caller)
-    attrs = ["{}={}".format(tup[0], utils.crop(utils.to_str(tup[1], force_string=True), width=10))
+    attrs = ["{}={}".format(tup[0], utils.crop(utils.to_str(tup[1]), width=10))
              for tup in prototype.get("attrs", [])]
     return attrs
 
diff --git a/evennia/prototypes/prototypes.py b/evennia/prototypes/prototypes.py
index efed01c4f0..78f8551a79 100644
--- a/evennia/prototypes/prototypes.py
+++ b/evennia/prototypes/prototypes.py
@@ -569,7 +569,7 @@ def protfunc_parser(value, available_functions=None, testing=False, stacktrace=F
             value = value.dbref
         except AttributeError:
             pass
-        value = to_str(value, force_string=True)
+        value = to_str(value)
 
     available_functions = PROT_FUNCS if available_functions is None else available_functions
 
diff --git a/evennia/scripts/models.py b/evennia/scripts/models.py
index 3433684a3a..bc892110af 100644
--- a/evennia/scripts/models.py
+++ b/evennia/scripts/models.py
@@ -145,7 +145,7 @@ class ScriptDB(TypedObject):
             pass
         if isinstance(value, (str, int)):
             from evennia.objects.models import ObjectDB
-            value = to_str(value, force_string=True)
+            value = to_str(value)
             if (value.isdigit() or value.startswith("#")):
                 dbid = dbref(value, reqhash=False)
                 if dbid:
diff --git a/evennia/server/models.py b/evennia/server/models.py
index c31d203532..ab3142e5c4 100644
--- a/evennia/server/models.py
+++ b/evennia/server/models.py
@@ -78,7 +78,7 @@ class ServerConfig(WeakSharedMemoryModel):
     #@property
     def __value_get(self):
         "Getter. Allows for value = self.value"
-        return pickle.loads(self.db_value)
+        return pickle.loads(utils.to_bytes(self.db_value))
 
     #@value.setter
     def __value_set(self, value):
diff --git a/evennia/server/portal/ssh.py b/evennia/server/portal/ssh.py
index 0a384dfaab..7701cc9a0d 100644
--- a/evennia/server/portal/ssh.py
+++ b/evennia/server/portal/ssh.py
@@ -290,7 +290,7 @@ class SshProtocol(Manhole, session.Session):
         text = args[0] if args else ""
         if text is None:
             return
-        text = to_str(text, force_string=True)
+        text = to_str(text)
 
         # handle arguments
         options = kwargs.get("options", {})
diff --git a/evennia/server/portal/telnet.py b/evennia/server/portal/telnet.py
index 751745ce6f..b82754f37a 100644
--- a/evennia/server/portal/telnet.py
+++ b/evennia/server/portal/telnet.py
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@ from evennia.server.portal import ttype, mssp, telnet_oob, naws, suppress_ga
 from evennia.server.portal.mccp import Mccp, mccp_compress, MCCP
 from evennia.server.portal.mxp import Mxp, mxp_parse
 from evennia.utils import ansi
-from evennia.utils.utils import to_str
+from evennia.utils.utils import to_bytes
 
 _RE_N = re.compile(r"\|n$")
 _RE_LEND = re.compile(br"\n$|\r$|\r\n$|\r\x00$|", re.MULTILINE)
@@ -243,7 +243,7 @@ class TelnetProtocol(Telnet, StatefulTelnetProtocol, Session):
             line (str): Line to send.
 
         """
-        line = self.encode_output(line)
+        line = to_bytes(line, self)
         # escape IAC in line mode, and correctly add \r\n (the TELNET end-of-line)
         line = line.replace(IAC, IAC + IAC)
         line = line.replace(b'\n', b'\r\n')
@@ -316,7 +316,6 @@ class TelnetProtocol(Telnet, StatefulTelnetProtocol, Session):
         text = args[0] if args else ""
         if text is None:
             return
-        text = to_str(text, force_string=True)
 
         # handle arguments
         options = kwargs.get("options", {})
@@ -343,7 +342,7 @@ class TelnetProtocol(Telnet, StatefulTelnetProtocol, Session):
                                          strip_ansi=nocolor, xterm256=xterm256)
                 if mxp:
                     prompt = mxp_parse(prompt)
-            prompt = self.encode_output(prompt)
+            prompt = to_bytes(prompt, self)
             prompt = prompt.replace(IAC, IAC + IAC).replace(b'\n', b'\r\n')
             prompt += IAC + GA
             self.transport.write(mccp_compress(self, prompt))
diff --git a/evennia/server/portal/telnet_oob.py b/evennia/server/portal/telnet_oob.py
index 78b5da9460..c777f5ee38 100644
--- a/evennia/server/portal/telnet_oob.py
+++ b/evennia/server/portal/telnet_oob.py
@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@ header where applicable.
 from builtins import object
 import re
 import json
-from evennia.utils.utils import to_str, is_iter
+from evennia.utils.utils import is_iter
 
 # MSDP-relevant telnet cmd/opt-codes
 MSDP = b'\x45'
@@ -46,11 +46,6 @@ GMCP = b'\xc9'
 from twisted.conch.telnet import IAC, SB, SE
 
 
-def force_str(inp):
-    """Helper to shorten code"""
-    return to_str(inp, force_string=True)
-
-
 # pre-compiled regexes
 # returns 2-tuple
 msdp_regex_table = re.compile(br"%s\s*(\w*?)\s*%s\s*%s(.*?)%s"
diff --git a/evennia/server/portal/webclient.py b/evennia/server/portal/webclient.py
index 0657f1b4fd..8d3acc5e88 100644
--- a/evennia/server/portal/webclient.py
+++ b/evennia/server/portal/webclient.py
@@ -195,7 +195,6 @@ class WebSocketClient(WebSocketServerProtocol, Session):
             return
 
         flags = self.protocol_flags
-        text = to_str(text, force_string=True)
 
         options = kwargs.pop("options", {})
         raw = options.get("raw", flags.get("RAW", False))
diff --git a/evennia/server/portal/webclient_ajax.py b/evennia/server/portal/webclient_ajax.py
index 3e550a5c43..87e73ef550 100644
--- a/evennia/server/portal/webclient_ajax.py
+++ b/evennia/server/portal/webclient_ajax.py
@@ -369,7 +369,7 @@ class AjaxWebClientSession(session.Session):
             return
 
         flags = self.protocol_flags
-        text = utils.to_str(text, force_string=True)
+        text = utils.to_str(text)
 
         options = kwargs.pop("options", {})
         raw = options.get("raw", flags.get("RAW", False))
diff --git a/evennia/server/session.py b/evennia/server/session.py
index 002f8db7b3..7f02b69323 100644
--- a/evennia/server/session.py
+++ b/evennia/server/session.py
@@ -4,12 +4,14 @@ This module defines a generic session class. All connection instances
 
 """
 from builtins import object
+from django.conf import settings
 
 import time
 
-#------------------------------------------------------------
+# ------------------------------------------------------------
 # Server Session
-#------------------------------------------------------------
+# ------------------------------------------------------------
+
 
 class Session(object):
     """
@@ -135,41 +137,6 @@ class Session(object):
         if self.account:
             self.protocol_flags.update(self.account.attributes.get("_saved_protocol_flags", {}))
 
-    # helpers
-
-    def encode_output(self, text):
-        """
-        Encode the given text for output, following the session's protocol flag.
-
-        Args:
-            text (str or bytes): the text to encode to bytes.
-
-        Returns:
-            encoded_text (bytes): the encoded text following the session's
-                    protocol flag.  If the converting fails, log the error
-                    and send the text with "?" in place of problematic
-                    characters.  If the specified encoding cannot be found,
-                    the protocol flag is reset to utf-8.
-                    In any case, returns bytes.
-
-        Note:
-            If the argument is bytes, return it as is.
-
-        """
-        if isinstance(text, bytes):
-            return text
-
-        try:
-            encoded = text.encode(self.protocol_flags["ENCODING"])
-        except LookupError:
-            self.protocol_flags["ENCODING"] = 'utf-8'
-            encoded = text.encode('utf-8')
-        except UnicodeEncodeError:
-            print("An error occurred during string encoding to {encoding}.  Will remove errors and try again.".format(encoding=self.protocol_flags["ENCODING"]))
-            encoded = text.encode(self.protocol_flags["ENCODING"], errors="replace")
-
-        return encoded
-
     # access hooks
 
     def disconnect(self, reason=None):
diff --git a/evennia/utils/ansi.py b/evennia/utils/ansi.py
index d55191c039..19e31fd481 100644
--- a/evennia/utils/ansi.py
+++ b/evennia/utils/ansi.py
@@ -675,7 +675,7 @@ class ANSIString(with_metaclass(ANSIMeta, str)):
         """
         string = args[0]
         if not isinstance(string, str):
-            string = to_str(string, force_string=True)
+            string = to_str(string)
         parser = kwargs.get('parser', ANSI_PARSER)
         decoded = kwargs.get('decoded', False) or hasattr(string, '_raw_string')
         code_indexes = kwargs.pop('code_indexes', None)
diff --git a/evennia/utils/eveditor.py b/evennia/utils/eveditor.py
index 62a9d97ed1..0c36da7a5e 100644
--- a/evennia/utils/eveditor.py
+++ b/evennia/utils/eveditor.py
@@ -801,7 +801,7 @@ class EvEditor(object):
         try:
             self._buffer = self._loadfunc(self._caller)
             if not isinstance(self._buffer, str):
-                self._buffer = to_str(self._buffer, force_string=True)
+                self._buffer = to_str(self._buffer)
                 self._caller.msg("|rNote: input buffer was converted to a string.|n")
         except Exception as e:
             from evennia.utils import logger
diff --git a/evennia/utils/evform.py b/evennia/utils/evform.py
index 63bdc2f4dd..f1f00b3f2e 100644
--- a/evennia/utils/evform.py
+++ b/evennia/utils/evform.py
@@ -207,8 +207,8 @@ class EvForm(object):
         self.filename = filename
         self.input_form_dict = form
 
-        self.cells_mapping = dict((to_str(key, force_string=True), value) for key, value in cells.items()) if cells else {}
-        self.tables_mapping = dict((to_str(key, force_string=True), value) for key, value in tables.items()) if tables else {}
+        self.cells_mapping = dict((to_str(key), value) for key, value in cells.items()) if cells else {}
+        self.tables_mapping = dict((to_str(key), value) for key, value in tables.items()) if tables else {}
 
         self.cellchar = "x"
         self.tablechar = "c"
@@ -378,8 +378,8 @@ class EvForm(object):
         kwargs.pop("width", None)
         kwargs.pop("height", None)
 
-        new_cells = dict((to_str(key, force_string=True), value) for key, value in cells.items()) if cells else {}
-        new_tables = dict((to_str(key, force_string=True), value) for key, value in tables.items()) if tables else {}
+        new_cells = dict((to_str(key), value) for key, value in cells.items()) if cells else {}
+        new_tables = dict((to_str(key), value) for key, value in tables.items()) if tables else {}
 
         self.cells_mapping.update(new_cells)
         self.tables_mapping.update(new_tables)
diff --git a/evennia/utils/idmapper/models.py b/evennia/utils/idmapper/models.py
index ecd8f91e94..5381f2d8cf 100644
--- a/evennia/utils/idmapper/models.py
+++ b/evennia/utils/idmapper/models.py
@@ -142,7 +142,7 @@ class SharedMemoryModelBase(ModelBase):
                 if _GA(cls, "_is_deleted"):
                     raise ObjectDoesNotExist("Cannot set %s to %s: Hosting object was already deleted!" % (fname, value))
                 if isinstance(value, (str, int)):
-                    value = to_str(value, force_string=True)
+                    value = to_str(value)
                     if (value.isdigit() or value.startswith("#")):
                         # we also allow setting using dbrefs, if so we try to load the matching object.
                         # (we assume the object is of the same type as the class holding the field, if
diff --git a/evennia/utils/inlinefuncs.py b/evennia/utils/inlinefuncs.py
index 58dff7ad13..8de765b3cd 100644
--- a/evennia/utils/inlinefuncs.py
+++ b/evennia/utils/inlinefuncs.py
@@ -421,7 +421,7 @@ def parse_inlinefunc(string, strip=False, available_funcs=None, stacktrace=False
                 # execute the inlinefunc at this point or strip it.
                 kwargs["inlinefunc_stack_depth"] = depth
                 retval = "" if strip else func(*args, **kwargs)
-        return utils.to_str(retval, force_string=True)
+        return utils.to_str(retval)
     retval = "".join(_run_stack(item) for item in stack)
     if stacktrace:
         out = "STACK: \n{} => {}\n".format(stack, retval)
diff --git a/evennia/utils/utils.py b/evennia/utils/utils.py
index 410d32e66f..40391d0bfc 100644
--- a/evennia/utils/utils.py
+++ b/evennia/utils/utils.py
@@ -784,37 +784,86 @@ def latinify(unicode_string, default='?', pure_ascii=False):
     return ''.join(converted)
 
 
-def to_str(obj, encoding='utf-8', force_string=False):
+def to_bytes(text, session=None):
     """
-    This function is deprecated in the Python 3 version of Evennia and is
-    likely to be phased out in future releases.
-
-    ---
-    This encodes a unicode string back to byte-representation,
-    for printing, writing to disk etc.
+    Try to encode the given text to bytes, using encodings from settings or from Session. Will
+    always return a bytes, even if given something that is not str or bytes.
 
     Args:
-        obj (any): Object to encode to bytecode.
-        encoding (str, optional): The encoding type to use for the
-            encoding.
-        force_string (bool, optional): Always convert to string, no
-            matter what type `obj` is initially.
+        text (any): The text to encode to bytes. If bytes, return unchanged. If not a str, convert
+            to str before converting.
+        session (Session, optional): A Session to get encoding info from. Will try this before
+            falling back to settings.ENCODINGS.
 
-    Notes:
-        Non-string objects are let through without modification - this
-        is required e.g. for Attributes. Use `force_string` to force
-        conversion of objects to strings.
+    Returns:
+        encoded_text (bytes): the encoded text following the session's protocol flag followed by the
+            encodings specified in settings.ENCODINGS.  If all attempt fail, log the error and send
+            the text with "?" in place of problematic characters.  If the specified encoding cannot
+            be found, the protocol flag is reset to utf-8.  In any case, returns bytes.
+
+    Note:
+        If `text` is already bytes, return it as is.
 
     """
-    if isinstance(obj, (str, bytes )):
-        return obj
+    if isinstance(text, bytes):
+        return text
+    if not isinstance(text, str):
+        # convert to a str representation before encoding
+        try:
+            text = str(text)
+        except Exception:
+            text = repr(text)
 
-    if force_string:
-        # some sort of other object. Try to
-        # convert it to a string representation.
-        obj = str(obj)
+    default_encoding = session.protocol_flags.get("ENCODING", 'utf-8') if session else 'utf-8'
+    try:
+        return text.encode(default_encoding)
+    except (LookupError, UnicodeEncodeError):
+        for encoding in settings.ENCODINGS:
+            try:
+                return text.encode(encoding)
+            except (LookupError, UnicodeEncodeError):
+                pass
+        # no valid encoding found. Replace unconvertable parts with ?
+        return text.encode(default_encoding, errors="replace")
 
-    return obj
+
+def to_str(text, session=None):
+    """
+    Try to decode a bytestream to a python str, using encoding schemas from settings
+    or from Session. Will always return a str(), also if not given a str/bytes.
+
+    Args:
+        text (any): The text to encode to bytes. If a str, return it. If also not bytes, convert
+            to str using str() or repr() as a fallback.
+        session (Session, optional): A Session to get encoding info from. Will try this before
+            falling back to settings.ENCODINGS.
+
+    Returns:
+        decoded_text (str): The decoded text.
+
+    Note:
+        If `text` is already str, return it as is.
+    """
+    if isinstance(text, str):
+        return text
+    if not isinstance(text, bytes):
+        # not a byte, convert directly to str
+        try:
+            return str(text)
+        except Exception:
+            return repr(text)
+
+    default_encoding = session.protocol_flags.get("ENCODING", 'utf-8') if session else 'utf-8'
+    try:
+        return text.decode(default_encoding)
+    except (LookupError, UnicodeDecodeError):
+        for encoding in settings.ENCODINGS:
+            try:
+                return text.decode(encoding)
+            except (LookupError, UnicodeDecodeError):
+                pass
+        # no valid encoding found. Replace unconvertable parts with ?
+        return text.decode(default_encoding, errors="replace")
 
 
 def validate_email_address(emailaddress):