My cat is acting strange in the house

My 16 year old cat always sleeps on my bed at night. I have a towel spread out at the end of the bed that he sleeps on. The last couple of nights, he freaked out (acted very scared or something) when I put him on the bed on the towel. He won't sleep there now and just wants to go outside on the patio. He will sleep on the couch a little bit however. I can't figure out what the problem is. He's eating and drinking water OK. My husband was vacuuming the day this happened, but the cat was outside at the time but saw the vacuum. He's seen the vacuum before though. Any ideas?

Can't exactly explain it, but have you tried putting down a different towel?

My Cat hates the vacuum but that doesn't stop him from sleeping in any room that I just cleaned with it. Try to change the towel. Don't force him back on the towel, let him discover it again for himself.